Provide comments on the draft plan to create more housing in Berkeley

You can give general input or use online tools to give specific guidance on a draft plan for how and where nearly 9,000 housing units can be built in Berkeley to meet state requirements.

This plan, which would start in 2023 and last through 2031, contains goals, policies, and programs to guide the City’s decision-making around the rehabilitation and development of a wide range of housing.

Known as a “Housing Element,” the plan addresses racial and social equity, as well as protections for vulnerable and historically impacted communities. The plan will include an inventory of sites currently zoned to accommodate Berkeley’s portion of housing required of the region.

Share your input on the draft plan by July 14

We have posted all pieces of the plan on a platform that allows you to give specific comments on the plan. Comment on any of the following:  

• Berkeley Housing Element Public Draft
• Sites Inventory Map
• Appendix A – Publicly Assisted Housing
• Appendix B – Development Standards
• Appendix C – Sites Inventory
• Appendix D – Review of 5thCycle
• Appendix E – Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH)
• Appendix F – Outreach Engagement

You can also give general feedback via:

• An online survey
• Email

June 29th Public Workshop

Learn more and share your feedback at our upcoming online workshop: 

The workshop will begin with a presentation and a live survey, followed by breakout room discussions. 

A plan to meet our housing needs

The Housing Element is an essential plan to help residents, property owners, and community members develop and prioritize approaches for housing more Berkeleyans.

California sets a goal every eight years for each jurisdiction’s planning “Regional Housing Needs Allocation.” The roughly 9,000 units designated for Berkeley is just one part of the 441,176 new housing units that the state has determined for the Bay Area as a whole.  

No single strategy solves all problems. The Housing Element requires that cities develop different approaches to meet these housing needs, such as zoning updates and new affordable housing requirements and programs. 

Stay informed about this project by visiting the project webpage and subscribing to our Housing Element email list.  

Help shape Berkeley’s next housing plan right now. Give feedback online, via email, or by attending our June 29 public workshop.

Links

• City of Berkeley Housing Element Update - Public Draft
• City-wide Survey Summary Results and Appendix
• Regional Housing Needs Allocation (Association of Bay Area Governments)
• Housing Element Overview (CA Dept. of Housing and Community Development)