Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)

SACOG plays a key role in the State’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process. Every eight years, the State of Calfornia’s Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) provides SACOG with a regional determination, which represents the number of units the region must plan for. The total allocation is broken down into four income categories and the lower two income categories (“Low Income” and “Very Low Income”) must be accommodated on sites zoned for higher densities. SACOG is responsible for developing a methodology for allocating these units by income category to each city and county in the region. Once jurisdictions have their RHNA, they must adopt a Housing Element that demonstrates how they can accommodate their RHNA in their zoning.

For non-RHNA housing issues, like CEQA streamlining opportunities, housing research and resources, and data for updating housing elements, please see SACOG’s Housing page under projects.