The Town received a letter from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on April 8, 2024 that certifies the Town of Fairfax, Housing Element 2023-31 has been certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The culminates years of community workshops, public meetings, work by Town staff, the Planning Commission and Town Council.
The housing element was adopted December 13, 2023 and received for review on March 14, 2024, along with revisions received on March 25, 2024. The revisions were authorized by the Town Council pursuant to Resolution 23-60. HCD has determined that the adopted housing element in substantial compliance with State Housing Element Law (Gov. Code, § 65580 et seq) and that the adopted element addresses the statutory requirements. In the letter, HCD acknowledged the successful completion of many zoning code amendments including: integration of objective design standards; adoption of standards for low impact clustered residential development; updates to density bonus provisions; changes to processing and permit procedures; provision of zoning for residential care facilities, transitional and supportive housing, and low-barrier navigation centers; inclusion of a reasonable accommodation procedure; adoption of a Workforce Housing Overlay. The Town also adopted an Inclusionary housing program and commercial linkage fees to help facilitate and fund future affordable housing projects.
Next steps
Now that the Housing Element is certified, the Town will focus on implementing the many housing programs contained within the Element with the intent of adding additional housing opportunities over the next eight years. Stayed tuned for future progress reports.
Read the letter from HCD certifying Fairfax’s Housing Element.