Foster City's Housing Element for 2023-2031 was adopted on May 22, 2023 and Revisions adopted March 20, 2024, certified by HCD

The Housing Element for 2023-2031 is a state-required plan to provide housing for all income levels and to address a variety of housing needs. The Housing Element includes goals, policies, and programs to guide the community to grow in a way that is safe, fair, and consistent with the City’s other long-range plans. 

Latest Updates:

April 18, 2024 - Foster City Housing Element 2023-31 Certified by California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

March 20, 2024 - JOINT PUBLIC HEARING - Planning Commission and City Council

On March 20, 2024, the City Council adopted City Resolution No. 2024-17 adopting minor revisions to the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update following adoption by the Planning Commission of Resolution P-2-24 recommending approval.

On March 20, 2024, the Planning Commission and City Council of the City of Foster City held a JOINT PUBLIC HEARING at a JOINT SPECIAL MEETING at 6:30 pm to consider adoption of a General Plan Amendment consisting of minor revisions to the 2023-31 Housing Element including Policies and Programs to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing as conditionally approved by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and finding that the revisions are within the scope of the Final Environmental Impact Report certified for the Housing Element Update and Safety Element Update. Please see the notice (Link to Notice).

Substantial Compliance Determination by HCD 

On February 2, 2024, State Dept. of Housing and Community Development (HCD) determined the City’s draft revisions to the adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element submitted on January 31, 2024, meets the statutory requirements of State Housing Element Law. 

HCD Review Letter 02-02-2024

It shall be noted that the City Council will be adopting amendments to the Housing Element 2023-31 at a future date.

January 2024: In response to the latest comment letter dated January 11, 2024, from HCD, the City has made draft revisions to the Adopted Housing Element 2023-31 which have been posted below. The materials include draft revisions to the Adopted Housing Element (redline version) and draft revisions to the Adopted Housing Element (clean version).  State law requires that the revisions to the Housing Element be posted and available for public comment for 7 days before submitting to HCD for a formal review. HCD has 60 days to respond.

After the end of the public review period (January 30, 2024), city staff will submit draft revisions to the adopted 2023–2031 Foster City Housing Element Update to HCD for review.

Redline Version

Clean Version

Summary of Edits

On January 11, 2024, city received fourth comment letter from HCD in response to the draft revisions to the adopted Housing Element (see below, Revisions to 2023-2031 Housing Element Update, dated November 2023) that were sent to HCD on November 16, 2023.

November 2023: In response to the latest, third comment letter dated July 25, 2023 from Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the City has made draft revisions to the Adopted Housing Element 2023-31 which have been posted below. The materials include Revisions to 2023-2031 Housing Element Update (clean and final) and Revisions to 2023-2031 Housing Element Update with redline changes.  State law requires that the revisions to the Housing Element be posted and available for public comment for 7 days before submitting to HCD for a formal review. HCD has 60 days to respond. The summary of revisions can be found here.

After the end of the public review period (November 16, 2023), city staff submitted draft revisions to the adopted 2023–2031 Foster City Housing Element Update to HCD for review and certification.

If you have any questions or comments, please email planning@fostercity.org with subject line: Housing Element 2023-31.

Revisions to 2023-2031 Housing Element Update, dated November 2023

Clean Version

Redline Version

Summary Table of Changes

July 2023: On July 25, 2023, city received third comment letter.

May 2023:  The City Council adopted the Housing Element 2023-31.

• Adopted City Resolution No. 2023-48 that certified the Environment Impact Report (EIR)) for the 6th Cycle Housing Element (2023-2031) and Safety Element Update, adopted environmental findings, and adopted a Standard Conditions of Approval and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
• Adopted City Resolution No. 2023-49 that rescinded the 2015-2023 Housing Element and adopted the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update and related amendments to the Land Use and Circulation Element of the General Plan.
• Introduced Ordinances amending the Foster City Zoning Map and Title 17, Zoning, of the Foster City Municipal Code, consistent with the 2023-2031 Housing Element.

The adopted Housing Element was sent to HCD on May 26 for review. 

April 2023: A second comment letter from HCD was received on April 24, 2023.

February 2023: City submitted the revised Draft of the Housing Element 2023-31 (dated February 16, 2023) to HCD incorporating comments/edits in response to HCD’s initial comment letter and public feedback for review on February 24, 2023.

October 2023: City received a first comment letter from HCD on October 3, 2022. The letter recommends revisions needed to comply with State Housing Element Law.

July 2022: A revised Draft Housing Element was submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on July 5, 2022, for a 90-day review period.

Overview of Review Process:

• The Housing Element is a key planning document intended to guide Foster City’s housing growth between 2023 and 2031.
• The Public Review Draft Housing Element was the subject of numerous public meetings, including two Joint Planning Commission/City Council Study Sessions on Thursday, April 21, 2022 and Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Public meeting materials are available on Foster City's Agendas and Minutes (External Link) page.
• The 30-day public comment period on the Public Review Draft was open from May 4, 2022 through June 3, 2022.
• A revised Draft Housing Element was submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on July 5, 2022 for a 90-day review period.
• The City received a comment letter from HCD on October 3, 2022. The letter recommends revisions needed to comply with State Housing Element Law.
• The Planning Commission and City Council held a Joint Special Meeting on November 15, 2022 to review HCD comments, receive feedback and comments and provide comments to Staff on revisions to the Housing Element
• Revised Draft Housing Element in response to HCD and public comments was made available for review published on February 7, 2023 (see below). 
• A Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Housing Element Update and Safety Element Update is available for public review. Public review period is from February 16, 2023 to April 2, 2023. All DEIR materials are in links below.
• The revised Draft Housing Element dated 2/16/2023 is posted for another 7-day public review period. At the end of the 7-day public review period, staff will be sending the revised Draft Housing Element to HCD for second review. HCD will take up to 60 day for its review (see below).
• On February 24, 2023, City submitted the revised Draft of the Housing Element 2023-31 (dated February 16, 2023) to Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) incorporating comments/edits in response to HCD’s initial comment letter and public feedback for review. HCD may take up to 60 days for its review.
• Responses to Comments and Text Changes document (RTC) to the DEIR are available below. This document includes responses to public comments during the public review period of February 16, 2023 thru April 2, 2023 related to environmental analysis, text changes to the DEIR, and updated appendices to the EIR.
• A second comment letter from HCD was received on April 24, 2023 (see below).
• The Draft Housing Element dated May 1, 2023 is available. This version includes changes (highlighted in yellow) made to address comments received by HCD on April 24, 2023.
• Planning Commission recommended approval of multiple components of the Housing Element and associated environmental analysis on Thursday May 4, 2023. Video and records could be view here(External link).
• A revised Draft Housing Element (redline version and clean version) dated May 15, 2023 is available. This version includes changes made to address comment letter #2 received HCD on April 24, 2023 and phone call with HCD reviewer on May 1, 2023
• A revised Draft Housing Element (redline version and clean version) dated May 15, 2023 is available below. This version includes changes made to address comment letter #2 received HCD on April 24, 2023 (highlighted in yellow) and phone call with HCD reviewer on May 1, 2023 (highlighted in green).
• On May 22, 2023, the City Council took the following actions: 
  • Adopted City Resolution No. 2023-48 that certified the Environment Impact Report (EIR)) for the 6th Cycle Housing Element (2023-2031) and Safety Element Update, adopted environmental findings, and adopted a Standard Conditions of Approval and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
  • Adopted City Resolution No. 2023-49 that rescinded the 2015-2023 Housing Element and adopted the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update and related amendments to the Land Use and Circulation Element of the General Plan.
  • Introduced Ordinances amending the Foster City Zoning Map and Title 17, Zoning, of the Foster City Municipal Code, consistent with the 2023-2031 Housing Element.
• Following adoption of the 2023-2031 Housing Element on May 22, 2023, the Housing Element will be provided to HCD for review for consistency with state requirements. 

Give us your feedback! You may submit comments by:

• Email to planning@fostercity.org (External link)
• Mail to Sofia Mangalam, Community Development Director at 610 Foster City Boulevard, Foster City, CA 94404
  
  

Documents:

Adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element Update , dated May 22, 2023

The 2023-2031 Housing Element Update (clean) version is available in the image above and here. The adopted version includes all written comments received on May 22, 2023 City Council Special Meeting. The 2023-2031 Housing Element Update with all redlines since the July 5, 2022 version are available here. The 2023-2031 Housing Element Update (clean) with only highlighted areas showing the changes made since July 5, 2022 version are available here. It should be noted that changes made after April 24, 2023 are shown in yellow, changes made after May 1, 2023 are shown in green, and minor changes made after May 22, 2023 are shown in turquoise.

Revised Draft Housing Element dated May 15, 2023

Revised Draft Housing Element - May 15, 2023 - Redline Version

Revised Draft Housing Element - May 15, 2023 - Clean Version

Responses to HCD Comment Letter Received on April 24, 2023 - Redline and Clean Versions (May 1, 2023)

HCD's 2nd Comment Letter Received o April 24, 2023	Summary of Responses to HCD's 2nd Comment Letter
Revised Draft Housing Element - May 1, 2023 - Redline Version	Revised Draft Housing Element - May 1,2023 - Clean Version

Responses to Comments, Text Changes to the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and Updated Technical Reports to the EIR

2023-2031 Housing Element Update - Revised Public Review Draft - February 16, 2023

As required by State Law, the City posted and notified the public of the revisions to Draft Housing Element for a 7-day public review period on February 6, 2023. At the end of the review period (2/14/2023), City received a few public comments. Staff considered the public comments and made further changes including the following:

1. Consistent with the City Council's direction at the November 15, 2022, Joint PC and CC meeting - Inclusion of 1601 Beach Park Blvd site in the sites inventory list (Chapter 8 and Appendix D)
2. Revisions to Sites inventory table to include 1601 Beach Park Blvd and edits to Foster’s Landing site (Chapter 8 and Appendix D)
3. Addition of a new policy and program encouraging hiring of local labor. (Chapter 8)
4. New public comment letters added to Appendix F

The revised Draft Housing Element dated 2/16/2023 is posted for another 7-day public review period. At the end of the 7-day public review period, staff will be sending the revised Draft Housing Element to HCD for second review. HCD will take up to 60 day for its review.

2023-2031 Housing Element Update - Revised Public Review Draft - February 6, 2023

The Housing Preferences and Priorities Survey and the Interactive Map closed on 3/28/2022.

Thank you to those who participated!

So what’s a Housing Element anyway, and why does it matter? Check out the video and slides to learn more.

Video: What's a Housing Element?

Slides: Home is Foster City

Additional Fact Sheets

Housing Element Fact Sheet	Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) 5 Fact Sheet	Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) 6 Fact Sheet
Density Bonus Fact Sheet	Affordable Housing Overlay Zone (AHOZ) Fact Sheet	Multi-Family Objective Design (MFD) Standards Fact Sheet