MILLBRAE, CA –The City of Millbrae received confirmation from the State of California that its draft 2023-2031 Housing Element substantially complies with all State requirements and will be certified upon approval from the Millbrae City Council. This marks the culmination of a collaborative planning cycle that demonstrates that the City can accommodate its projected housing need over the next eight years.
On February 21, 2024, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) finished its review of the Millbrae plan, finding the City’s “revised draft element to meet the statutory requirements of State Housing Element Law.”
The City made a number of changes to the plan in order to satisfy HCD’s requirements. HCD accepted all of Millbrae’s revisions, clearing the path for final approval by the state.
Once Millbrae submits the final plan, the Housing Element will be approved by HCD, as the state has now deemed that it “substantially complies” with state housing laws. This final submittal is only a formality.
The Housing Element covers the eight-year planning period beginning October 15, 2023, and ending on October 15, 2031. It identifies the City’s projected housing need during that period and establishes a roadmap for meeting that need.
Millbrae’s plan identified potential sites to create 2,199 units at different levels of affordability, representing nearly 663 more units than in the previous cycle. The Housing Element plan is consistent with the General Plan and Downtown and El Camino Real Specific Plan adopted in September of 2022. The Housing Element not only carries out elements of the General Plan but also identifies programs that will affirmatively further fair housing across the community.
City leaders celebrated this significant milestone. “The approval of our draft Housing Element is the result of years of community engagement and hard work by our city staff and our steadfast commitment to becoming a regional partner to providing housing for families, seniors, veterans, and everyone who wants to call Millbrae home,” said Mayor Anders Fung. “This approval is highly important to our community.”
Councilmember Gina Papan said, “Our City is steadfastly committed to doing our part to address our local and regional housing shortage and focusing on affordability, and our Housing Element reflects that commitment. We look forward to submitting our final plans and receiving HDC certification.”
City Manager Tom Williams echoed these comments and stated, “I am proud of the City’s progress towards` developing more than their fair share of housing for the region.”
“The draft Housing Element provides the City with a solid foundation towards the development of new housing with new programs that will help us meet our affordability and housing needs,” said Community Development Director Andrew Mogensen. “We’re pleased to receive this letter, and we’re eager to continue our efforts facilitating the construction of much-needed housing.”
The City Council will hold a public hearing to accept the draft Housing Element, authorizing the city to transmit the final plan to HCD at its upcoming meeting tonight, Tuesday, Feb. 27.
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