(a)(1)For the fourth and subsequent revisions of the housing element pursuant to Section 65588, the department shall determine the existing and projected need for housing for each region pursuant to this article. For purposes of subdivision (a) of Section 65583, the share of a city or county of the regional housing need shall include that share of the housing need of persons at all income levels within the area significantly affected by the general plan of the city or county.

(2)While it is the intent of the Legislature that cities, counties, and cities and counties should undertake all necessary actions to encourage, promote, and facilitate the development of housing to accommodate the entire regional housing need, it is recognized, however, that future housing production may not equal the regional housing need established for planning purposes.

(3)The Legislature finds and declares that insufficient housing in job centers hinders the states environmental quality and runs counter to the states environmental goals. In particular, when Californians seeking affordable housing are forced to drive longer distances to work, an increased amount of greenhouse gases and other pollutants is released and puts in jeopardy the achievement of the states climate goals, as established pursuant to Section 38566 of the Health and Safety Code, and clean air goals.

(b)The department, in consultation with each council of governments, shall determine each regions existing and projected housing need pursuant to Section 65584.01 at least two years prior to the scheduled revision required pursuant to Section 65588. The appropriate council of governments, or for cities and counties without a council of governments, the department, shall adopt a final regional housing need plan that allocates a share of the regional housing need to each city, county, or city and county at least one year prior to the scheduled revision for the region required by Section 65588. The allocation plan prepared by a council of governments shall be prepared pursuant to Sections 65584.04 and 65584.05 with the advice of the department.

(c)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the due dates for the determinations of the department or for the council of governments, respectively, regarding the regional housing need may be extended by the department by not more than 60 days if the extension will enable access to more recent critical population or housing data from a pending or recent release of the United States Census Bureau or the Department of Finance. If the due date for the determination of the department or the council of governments is extended for this reason, the department shall extend the corresponding housing element revision deadline pursuant to Section 65588 by not more than 60 days.

(d)The regional housing needs allocation plan shall be consistent with all of the following objectives:

(1)Increasing the housing supply and the mix of housing types, tenure, and affordability in all cities and counties within the region in an equitable manner, which shall result in each jurisdiction receiving an allocation of units for low- and very low income households.

(2)Promoting infill development and socioeconomic equity, the protection of environmental and agricultural resources, and the encouragement of efficient development patterns.

(3)Promoting an improved intraregional relationship between jobs and housing.

(4)Allocating a lower proportion of housing need to an income category when a jurisdiction already has a disproportionately high share of households in that income category, as compared to the countywide distribution of households in that category from the most recent decennial United States census.

(e)For purposes of this section, household income levels are as determined by the department as of the most recent decennial census pursuant to the following code sections:

(1)Very low incomes as defined by Section 50105 of the Health and Safety Code.

(2)Lower incomes, as defined by Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

(3)Moderate incomes, as defined by Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.

(4)Above moderate incomes are those exceeding the moderate-income level of Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.

(f)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, determinations made by the department, a council of governments, or a city or county pursuant to this section or Section 65584.01, 65584.02, 65584.03, 65584.04, 65584.05, 65584.06, 65584.07, or 65584.08 are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).

For the fourth and subsequent revision of the housing element pursuant to Section 65588, the department, in consultation with each council of governments, where applicable, shall determine the existing and projected need for housing for each region in the following manner:

(a)The departments determination shall be based upon population projections produced by the Department of Finance and regional population forecasts used in preparing regional transportation plans, in consultation with each council of governments. If the total regional population forecast for the projection year, developed by the council of governments and used for the preparation of the regional transportation plan, is within a range of 1.5 percent of the total regional population forecast for the projection year by the Department of Finance, then the population forecast developed by the council of governments shall be the basis from which the department determines the existing and projected need for housing in the region. If the difference between the total population projected by the council of governments and the total population projected for the region by the Department of Finance is greater than 1.5 percent, then the department and the council of governments shall meet to discuss variances in methodology used for population projections and seek agreement on a population projection for the region to be used as a basis for determining the existing and projected housing need for the region. If no agreement is reached, then the population projection for the region shall be the population projection for the region prepared by the Department of Finance as may be modified by the department as a result of discussions with the council of governments.

(b)(1)At least 26 months prior to the scheduled revision pursuant to Section 65588 and prior to developing the existing and projected housing need for a region, the department shall meet and consult with the council of governments regarding the assumptions and methodology to be used by the department to determine the regions housing needs. The council of governments shall provide data assumptions from the councils projections, including, if available, the following data for the region:

(A)Anticipated household growth associated with projected population increases.

(B)Household size data and trends in household size.

(C)The percentage of renters households that are overcrowded. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term overcrowded means more than one resident per room in each room in a dwelling.

(D)The rate of household formation, or headship rates, based on age, gender, ethnicity, or other established demographic measures.

(E)The vacancy rates in existing housing stock, and the vacancy rates for healthy housing market functioning and regional mobility, as well as housing replacement needs.

(F)Other characteristics of the composition of the projected population.

(G)The relationship between jobs and housing, including any imbalance between jobs and housing.

(2)The department may accept or reject the information provided by the council of governments or modify its own assumptions or methodology based on this information. After consultation with the council of governments, the department shall make determinations in writing on the assumptions for each of the factors listed in subparagraphs (A) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (1) and the methodology it shall use and shall provide these determinations to the council of governments.

(c)(1)After consultation with the council of governments, the department shall make a determination of the regions existing and projected housing need based upon the assumptions and methodology determined pursuant to subdivision (b). The regions existing and projected housing need shall reflect the achievement of a feasible balance between jobs and housing within the region using the regional employment projections in the applicable regional transportation plan. Within 30 days following notice of the determination from the department, the council of governments may file an objection to the departments determination of the regions existing and projected housing need with the department.

(2)The objection shall be based on and substantiate either of the following:

(A)The department failed to base its determination on the population projection for the region established pursuant to subdivision (a), and shall identify the population projection which the council of governments believes should instead be used for the determination and explain the basis for its rationale.

(B)The regional housing need determined by the department is not a reasonable application of the methodology and assumptions determined pursuant to subdivision (b). The objection shall include a proposed alternative determination of its regional housing need based upon the determinations made in subdivision (b), including analysis of why the proposed alternative would be a more reasonable application of the methodology and assumptions determined pursuant to subdivision (b).

(3)If a council of governments files an objection pursuant to this subdivision and includes with the objection a proposed alternative determination of its regional housing need, it shall also include documentation of its basis for the alternative determination. Within 45 days of receiving an objection filed pursuant to this section, the department shall consider the objection and make a final written determination of the regions existing and projected housing need that includes an explanation of the information upon which the determination was made.

(a)At least one and one-half years prior to the scheduled revision required by Section 65588, each council of governments and delegate subregion, as applicable, shall distribute a draft allocation of regional housing needs to each local government in the region or subregion, where applicable, based on the methodology adopted pursuant to Section 65584.04. The draft allocation shall include the underlying data and methodology on which the allocation is based. It is the intent of the Legislature that the draft allocation should be distributed prior to the completion of the update of the applicable regional transportation plan. The draft allocation shall distribute to localities and subregions, if any, within the region the entire regional housing need determined pursuant to Section 65584.01 or within subregions, as applicable, the subregions entire share of the regional housing need determined pursuant to Section 65584.03.

(b)Within 60 days following receipt of the draft allocation, a local government may request from the council of governments or the delegate subregion, as applicable, a revision of its share of the regional housing need in accordance with the factors described in paragraphs (1) to (9), inclusive, of subdivision (d) of Section 65584.04, including any information submitted by the local government to the council of governments pursuant to subdivision (b) of that section. The request for a revised share shall be based upon comparable data available for all affected jurisdictions and accepted planning methodology, and supported by adequate documentation. A request for a revised share pursuant to this subdivision shall be consistent with, and not to the detriment of, the development pattern in an applicable sustainable communities strategy developed pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 65080.

(c)Within 60 days after the request submitted pursuant to subdivision (b), the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall accept the proposed revision, modify its earlier determination, or indicate, based upon the information and methodology described in Section 65584.04, why the proposed revision is inconsistent with the regional housing need.

(d)If the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, does not accept the proposed revised share or modify the revised share to the satisfaction of the requesting party, the local government may appeal its draft allocation based upon either or both of the following criteria:

(1)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, failed to adequately consider the information submitted pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 65584.04, or a significant and unforeseen change in circumstances has occurred in the local jurisdiction that merits a revision of the information submitted pursuant to that subdivision.

(2)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, failed to determine its share of the regional housing need in accordance with the information described in, and the methodology established pursuant to, Section 65584.04.

(e)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall conduct public hearings to hear all appeals within 60 days after the date established to file appeals. The local government shall be notified within 10 days by certified mail, return receipt requested, of at least one public hearing on its appeal. The date of the hearing shall be at least 30 days and not more than 35 days after the date of the notification. Before taking action on an appeal, the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall consider all comments, recommendations, and available data based on accepted planning methodologies submitted by the appellant. The final action of the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, on an appeal shall be in writing and shall include information and other evidence explaining how its action is consistent with this article. The final action on an appeal may require the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, to adjust the allocation of a local government that is not the subject of an appeal.

(f)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall issue a proposed final allocation within 45 days after the completion of the 60-day period for hearing appeals. The proposed final allocation plan shall include responses to all comments received on the proposed draft allocation and reasons for any significant revisions included in the final allocation.

(g)In the proposed final allocation plan, the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall adjust allocations to local governments based upon the results of the revision request process and the appeals process specified in this section. If the adjustments total 7 percent or less of the regional housing need determined pursuant to Section 65584.01, or, as applicable, total 7 percent or less of the subregions share of the regional housing need as determined pursuant to Section 65584.03, then the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall distribute the adjustments proportionally to all local governments. If the adjustments total more than 7 percent of the regional housing need, then the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall develop a methodology to distribute the amount greater than the 7 percent to local governments. In no event shall the total distribution of housing need equal less than the regional housing need, as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01, nor shall the subregional distribution of housing need equal less than its share of the regional housing need as determined pursuant to Section 65584.03. Two or more local governments may agree to an alternate distribution of appealed housing allocations between the affected local governments. If two or more local governments agree to an alternative distribution of appealed housing allocations that maintains the total housing need originally assigned to these communities, then the council of governments shall include the alternative distribution in the final allocation plan.

(h)Within 45 days after the issuance of the proposed final allocation plan by the council of governments and each delegate subregion, as applicable, the council of governments shall hold a public hearing to adopt a final allocation plan. To the extent that the final allocation plan fully allocates the regional share of statewide housing need, as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01, the council of governments shall have final authority to determine the distribution of the regions existing and projected housing need as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01. The council of governments shall submit its final allocation plan to the department within three days of adoption. Within 60 days after the departments receipt of the final allocation plan adopted by the council of governments, the department shall determine whether or not the final allocation plan is consistent with the existing and projected housing need for the region, as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01. The department may revise the determination of the council of governments if necessary to obtain this consistency.

(i)Any authority of the council of governments to review and revise the share of a city or county of the regional housing need under this section shall not constitute authority to revise, approve, or disapprove the manner in which the share of the city or county of the regional housing need is implemented through its housing program.

(a)(1)For the fourth and subsequent revisions of the housing element pursuant to Section 65588, the department shall determine the existing and projected need for housing for each region pursuant to this article. For purposes of subdivision (a) of Section 65583, the share of a city or county of the regional housing need shall include that share of the housing need of persons at all income levels within the area significantly affected by the general plan of the city or county.

(2)While it is the intent of the Legislature that cities, counties, and cities and counties should undertake all necessary actions to encourage, promote, and facilitate the development of housing to accommodate the entire regional housing need, it is recognized, however, that future housing production may not equal the regional housing need established for planning purposes.

(3)The Legislature finds and declares that insufficient housing in job centers hinders the states environmental quality and runs counter to the states environmental goals. In particular, when Californians seeking affordable housing are forced to drive longer distances to work, an increased amount of greenhouse gases and other pollutants is released and puts in jeopardy the achievement of the states climate goals, as established pursuant to Section 38566 of the Health and Safety Code, and clean air goals.

(b)The department, in consultation with each council of governments, shall determine each regions existing and projected housing need pursuant to Section 65584.01 at least two years prior to the scheduled revision required pursuant to Section 65588. The appropriate council of governments, or for cities and counties without a council of governments, the department, shall adopt a final regional housing need plan that allocates a share of the regional housing need to each city, county, or city and county at least one year prior to the scheduled revision for the region required by Section 65588. The allocation plan prepared by a council of governments shall be prepared pursuant to Sections 65584.04 and 65584.05 with the advice of the department.

(c)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the due dates for the determinations of the department or for the council of governments, respectively, regarding the regional housing need may be extended by the department by not more than 60 days if the extension will enable access to more recent critical population or housing data from a pending or recent release of the United States Census Bureau or the Department of Finance. If the due date for the determination of the department or the council of governments is extended for this reason, the department shall extend the corresponding housing element revision deadline pursuant to Section 65588 by not more than 60 days.

(d)The regional housing needs allocation plan shall be consistent with all of the following objectives:

(1)Increasing the housing supply and the mix of housing types, tenure, and affordability in all cities and counties within the region in an equitable manner, which shall result in each jurisdiction receiving an allocation of units for low- and very low income households.

(2)Promoting infill development and socioeconomic equity, the protection of environmental and agricultural resources, and the encouragement of efficient development patterns.

(3)Promoting an improved intraregional relationship between jobs and housing.

(4)Allocating a lower proportion of housing need to an income category when a jurisdiction already has a disproportionately high share of households in that income category, as compared to the countywide distribution of households in that category from the most recent decennial United States census.

(e)For purposes of this section, household income levels are as determined by the department as of the most recent decennial census pursuant to the following code sections:

(1)Very low incomes as defined by Section 50105 of the Health and Safety Code.

(2)Lower incomes, as defined by Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

(3)Moderate incomes, as defined by Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.

(4)Above moderate incomes are those exceeding the moderate-income level of Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.

(f)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, determinations made by the department, a council of governments, or a city or county pursuant to this section or Section 65584.01, 65584.02, 65584.03, 65584.04, 65584.05, 65584.06, 65584.07, or 65584.08 are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).

For the fourth and subsequent revision of the housing element pursuant to Section 65588, the department, in consultation with each council of governments, where applicable, shall determine the existing and projected need for housing for each region in the following manner:

(a)The departments determination shall be based upon population projections produced by the Department of Finance and regional population forecasts used in preparing regional transportation plans, in consultation with each council of governments. If the total regional population forecast for the projection year, developed by the council of governments and used for the preparation of the regional transportation plan, is within a range of 1.5 percent of the total regional population forecast for the projection year by the Department of Finance, then the population forecast developed by the council of governments shall be the basis from which the department determines the existing and projected need for housing in the region. If the difference between the total population projected by the council of governments and the total population projected for the region by the Department of Finance is greater than 1.5 percent, then the department and the council of governments shall meet to discuss variances in methodology used for population projections and seek agreement on a population projection for the region to be used as a basis for determining the existing and projected housing need for the region. If no agreement is reached, then the population projection for the region shall be the population projection for the region prepared by the Department of Finance as may be modified by the department as a result of discussions with the council of governments.

(b)(1)At least 26 months prior to the scheduled revision pursuant to Section 65588 and prior to developing the existing and projected housing need for a region, the department shall meet and consult with the council of governments regarding the assumptions and methodology to be used by the department to determine the regions housing needs. The council of governments shall provide data assumptions from the councils projections, including, if available, the following data for the region:

(A)Anticipated household growth associated with projected population increases.

(B)Household size data and trends in household size.

(C)The percentage of renters households that are overcrowded. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term overcrowded means more than one resident per room in each room in a dwelling.

(D)The rate of household formation, or headship rates, based on age, gender, ethnicity, or other established demographic measures.

(E)The vacancy rates in existing housing stock, and the vacancy rates for healthy housing market functioning and regional mobility, as well as housing replacement needs.

(F)Other characteristics of the composition of the projected population.

(G)The relationship between jobs and housing, including any imbalance between jobs and housing.

(2)The department may accept or reject the information provided by the council of governments or modify its own assumptions or methodology based on this information. After consultation with the council of governments, the department shall make determinations in writing on the assumptions for each of the factors listed in subparagraphs (A) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (1) and the methodology it shall use and shall provide these determinations to the council of governments.

(c)(1)After consultation with the council of governments, the department shall make a determination of the regions existing and projected housing need based upon the assumptions and methodology determined pursuant to subdivision (b). The regions existing and projected housing need shall reflect the achievement of a feasible balance between jobs and housing within the region using the regional employment projections in the applicable regional transportation plan. Within 30 days following notice of the determination from the department, the council of governments may file an objection to the departments determination of the regions existing and projected housing need with the department.

(2)The objection shall be based on and substantiate either of the following:

(A)The department failed to base its determination on the population projection for the region established pursuant to subdivision (a), and shall identify the population projection which the council of governments believes should instead be used for the determination and explain the basis for its rationale.

(B)The regional housing need determined by the department is not a reasonable application of the methodology and assumptions determined pursuant to subdivision (b). The objection shall include a proposed alternative determination of its regional housing need based upon the determinations made in subdivision (b), including analysis of why the proposed alternative would be a more reasonable application of the methodology and assumptions determined pursuant to subdivision (b).

(3)If a council of governments files an objection pursuant to this subdivision and includes with the objection a proposed alternative determination of its regional housing need, it shall also include documentation of its basis for the alternative determination. Within 45 days of receiving an objection filed pursuant to this section, the department shall consider the objection and make a final written determination of the regions existing and projected housing need that includes an explanation of the information upon which the determination was made.

(a)At least one and one-half years prior to the scheduled revision required by Section 65588, each council of governments and delegate subregion, as applicable, shall distribute a draft allocation of regional housing needs to each local government in the region or subregion, where applicable, based on the methodology adopted pursuant to Section 65584.04. The draft allocation shall include the underlying data and methodology on which the allocation is based. It is the intent of the Legislature that the draft allocation should be distributed prior to the completion of the update of the applicable regional transportation plan. The draft allocation shall distribute to localities and subregions, if any, within the region the entire regional housing need determined pursuant to Section 65584.01 or within subregions, as applicable, the subregions entire share of the regional housing need determined pursuant to Section 65584.03.

(b)Within 60 days following receipt of the draft allocation, a local government may request from the council of governments or the delegate subregion, as applicable, a revision of its share of the regional housing need in accordance with the factors described in paragraphs (1) to (9), inclusive, of subdivision (d) of Section 65584.04, including any information submitted by the local government to the council of governments pursuant to subdivision (b) of that section. The request for a revised share shall be based upon comparable data available for all affected jurisdictions and accepted planning methodology, and supported by adequate documentation. A request for a revised share pursuant to this subdivision shall be consistent with, and not to the detriment of, the development pattern in an applicable sustainable communities strategy developed pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 65080.

(c)Within 60 days after the request submitted pursuant to subdivision (b), the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall accept the proposed revision, modify its earlier determination, or indicate, based upon the information and methodology described in Section 65584.04, why the proposed revision is inconsistent with the regional housing need.

(d)If the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, does not accept the proposed revised share or modify the revised share to the satisfaction of the requesting party, the local government may appeal its draft allocation based upon either or both of the following criteria:

(1)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, failed to adequately consider the information submitted pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 65584.04, or a significant and unforeseen change in circumstances has occurred in the local jurisdiction that merits a revision of the information submitted pursuant to that subdivision.

(2)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, failed to determine its share of the regional housing need in accordance with the information described in, and the methodology established pursuant to, Section 65584.04.

(e)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall conduct public hearings to hear all appeals within 60 days after the date established to file appeals. The local government shall be notified within 10 days by certified mail, return receipt requested, of at least one public hearing on its appeal. The date of the hearing shall be at least 30 days and not more than 35 days after the date of the notification. Before taking action on an appeal, the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall consider all comments, recommendations, and available data based on accepted planning methodologies submitted by the appellant. The final action of the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, on an appeal shall be in writing and shall include information and other evidence explaining how its action is consistent with this article. The final action on an appeal may require the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, to adjust the allocation of a local government that is not the subject of an appeal.

(f)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall issue a proposed final allocation within 45 days after the completion of the 60-day period for hearing appeals. The proposed final allocation plan shall include responses to all comments received on the proposed draft allocation and reasons for any significant revisions included in the final allocation.

(g)In the proposed final allocation plan, the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall adjust allocations to local governments based upon the results of the revision request process and the appeals process specified in this section. If the adjustments total 7 percent or less of the regional housing need determined pursuant to Section 65584.01, or, as applicable, total 7 percent or less of the subregions share of the regional housing need as determined pursuant to Section 65584.03, then the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall distribute the adjustments proportionally to all local governments. If the adjustments total more than 7 percent of the regional housing need, then the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall develop a methodology to distribute the amount greater than the 7 percent to local governments. In no event shall the total distribution of housing need equal less than the regional housing need, as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01, nor shall the subregional distribution of housing need equal less than its share of the regional housing need as determined pursuant to Section 65584.03. Two or more local governments may agree to an alternate distribution of appealed housing allocations between the affected local governments. If two or more local governments agree to an alternative distribution of appealed housing allocations that maintains the total housing need originally assigned to these communities, then the council of governments shall include the alternative distribution in the final allocation plan.

(h)Within 45 days after the issuance of the proposed final allocation plan by the council of governments and each delegate subregion, as applicable, the council of governments shall hold a public hearing to adopt a final allocation plan. To the extent that the final allocation plan fully allocates the regional share of statewide housing need, as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01, the council of governments shall have final authority to determine the distribution of the regions existing and projected housing need as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01. The council of governments shall submit its final allocation plan to the department within three days of adoption. Within 60 days after the departments receipt of the final allocation plan adopted by the council of governments, the department shall determine whether or not the final allocation plan is consistent with the existing and projected housing need for the region, as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01. The department may revise the determination of the council of governments if necessary to obtain this consistency.

(i)Any authority of the council of governments to review and revise the share of a city or county of the regional housing need under this section shall not constitute authority to revise, approve, or disapprove the manner in which the share of the city or county of the regional housing need is implemented through its housing program.

(a)(1)For the fourth and subsequent revisions of the housing element pursuant to Section 65588, the department shall determine the existing and projected need for housing for each region pursuant to this article. For purposes of subdivision (a) of Section 65583, the share of a city or county of the regional housing need shall include that share of the housing need of persons at all income levels within the area significantly affected by the general plan of the city or county.

(2)While it is the intent of the Legislature that cities, counties, and cities and counties should undertake all necessary actions to encourage, promote, and facilitate the development of housing to accommodate the entire regional housing need, it is recognized, however, that future housing production may not equal the regional housing need established for planning purposes.

(3)The Legislature finds and declares that insufficient housing in job centers hinders the states environmental quality and runs counter to the states environmental goals. In particular, when Californians seeking affordable housing are forced to drive longer distances to work, an increased amount of greenhouse gases and other pollutants is released and puts in jeopardy the achievement of the states climate goals, as established pursuant to Section 38566 of the Health and Safety Code, and clean air goals.

(b)The department, in consultation with each council of governments, shall determine each regions existing and projected housing need pursuant to Section 65584.01 at least two years prior to the scheduled revision required pursuant to Section 65588. The appropriate council of governments, or for cities and counties without a council of governments, the department, shall adopt a final regional housing need plan that allocates a share of the regional housing need to each city, county, or city and county at least one year prior to the scheduled revision for the region required by Section 65588. The allocation plan prepared by a council of governments shall be prepared pursuant to Sections 65584.04 and 65584.05 with the advice of the department.

(c)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the due dates for the determinations of the department or for the council of governments, respectively, regarding the regional housing need may be extended by the department by not more than 60 days if the extension will enable access to more recent critical population or housing data from a pending or recent release of the United States Census Bureau or the Department of Finance. If the due date for the determination of the department or the council of governments is extended for this reason, the department shall extend the corresponding housing element revision deadline pursuant to Section 65588 by not more than 60 days.

(d)The regional housing needs allocation plan shall be consistent with all of the following objectives:

(1)Increasing the housing supply and the mix of housing types, tenure, and affordability in all cities and counties within the region in an equitable manner, which shall result in each jurisdiction receiving an allocation of units for low- and very low income households.

(2)Promoting infill development and socioeconomic equity, the protection of environmental and agricultural resources, and the encouragement of efficient development patterns.

(3)Promoting an improved intraregional relationship between jobs and housing.

(4)Allocating a lower proportion of housing need to an income category when a jurisdiction already has a disproportionately high share of households in that income category, as compared to the countywide distribution of households in that category from the most recent decennial United States census.

(e)For purposes of this section, household income levels are as determined by the department as of the most recent decennial census pursuant to the following code sections:

(1)Very low incomes as defined by Section 50105 of the Health and Safety Code.

(2)Lower incomes, as defined by Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

(3)Moderate incomes, as defined by Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.

(4)Above moderate incomes are those exceeding the moderate-income level of Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.

(f)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, determinations made by the department, a council of governments, or a city or county pursuant to this section or Section 65584.01, 65584.02, 65584.03, 65584.04, 65584.05, 65584.06, 65584.07, or 65584.08 are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).

For the fourth and subsequent revision of the housing element pursuant to Section 65588, the department, in consultation with each council of governments, where applicable, shall determine the existing and projected need for housing for each region in the following manner:

(a)The departments determination shall be based upon population projections produced by the Department of Finance and regional population forecasts used in preparing regional transportation plans, in consultation with each council of governments. If the total regional population forecast for the projection year, developed by the council of governments and used for the preparation of the regional transportation plan, is within a range of 1.5 percent of the total regional population forecast for the projection year by the Department of Finance, then the population forecast developed by the council of governments shall be the basis from which the department determines the existing and projected need for housing in the region. If the difference between the total population projected by the council of governments and the total population projected for the region by the Department of Finance is greater than 1.5 percent, then the department and the council of governments shall meet to discuss variances in methodology used for population projections and seek agreement on a population projection for the region to be used as a basis for determining the existing and projected housing need for the region. If no agreement is reached, then the population projection for the region shall be the population projection for the region prepared by the Department of Finance as may be modified by the department as a result of discussions with the council of governments.

(b)(1)At least 26 months prior to the scheduled revision pursuant to Section 65588 and prior to developing the existing and projected housing need for a region, the department shall meet and consult with the council of governments regarding the assumptions and methodology to be used by the department to determine the regions housing needs. The council of governments shall provide data assumptions from the councils projections, including, if available, the following data for the region:

(A)Anticipated household growth associated with projected population increases.

(B)Household size data and trends in household size.

(C)The percentage of renters households that are overcrowded. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term overcrowded means more than one resident per room in each room in a dwelling.

(D)The rate of household formation, or headship rates, based on age, gender, ethnicity, or other established demographic measures.

(E)The vacancy rates in existing housing stock, and the vacancy rates for healthy housing market functioning and regional mobility, as well as housing replacement needs.

(F)Other characteristics of the composition of the projected population.

(G)The relationship between jobs and housing, including any imbalance between jobs and housing.

(2)The department may accept or reject the information provided by the council of governments or modify its own assumptions or methodology based on this information. After consultation with the council of governments, the department shall make determinations in writing on the assumptions for each of the factors listed in subparagraphs (A) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (1) and the methodology it shall use and shall provide these determinations to the council of governments.

(c)(1)After consultation with the council of governments, the department shall make a determination of the regions existing and projected housing need based upon the assumptions and methodology determined pursuant to subdivision (b). The regions existing and projected housing need shall reflect the achievement of a feasible balance between jobs and housing within the region using the regional employment projections in the applicable regional transportation plan. Within 30 days following notice of the determination from the department, the council of governments may file an objection to the departments determination of the regions existing and projected housing need with the department.

(2)The objection shall be based on and substantiate either of the following:

(A)The department failed to base its determination on the population projection for the region established pursuant to subdivision (a), and shall identify the population projection which the council of governments believes should instead be used for the determination and explain the basis for its rationale.

(B)The regional housing need determined by the department is not a reasonable application of the methodology and assumptions determined pursuant to subdivision (b). The objection shall include a proposed alternative determination of its regional housing need based upon the determinations made in subdivision (b), including analysis of why the proposed alternative would be a more reasonable application of the methodology and assumptions determined pursuant to subdivision (b).

(3)If a council of governments files an objection pursuant to this subdivision and includes with the objection a proposed alternative determination of its regional housing need, it shall also include documentation of its basis for the alternative determination. Within 45 days of receiving an objection filed pursuant to this section, the department shall consider the objection and make a final written determination of the regions existing and projected housing need that includes an explanation of the information upon which the determination was made.

(a)At least one and one-half years prior to the scheduled revision required by Section 65588, each council of governments and delegate subregion, as applicable, shall distribute a draft allocation of regional housing needs to each local government in the region or subregion, where applicable, based on the methodology adopted pursuant to Section 65584.04. The draft allocation shall include the underlying data and methodology on which the allocation is based. It is the intent of the Legislature that the draft allocation should be distributed prior to the completion of the update of the applicable regional transportation plan. The draft allocation shall distribute to localities and subregions, if any, within the region the entire regional housing need determined pursuant to Section 65584.01 or within subregions, as applicable, the subregions entire share of the regional housing need determined pursuant to Section 65584.03.

(b)Within 60 days following receipt of the draft allocation, a local government may request from the council of governments or the delegate subregion, as applicable, a revision of its share of the regional housing need in accordance with the factors described in paragraphs (1) to (9), inclusive, of subdivision (d) of Section 65584.04, including any information submitted by the local government to the council of governments pursuant to subdivision (b) of that section. The request for a revised share shall be based upon comparable data available for all affected jurisdictions and accepted planning methodology, and supported by adequate documentation. A request for a revised share pursuant to this subdivision shall be consistent with, and not to the detriment of, the development pattern in an applicable sustainable communities strategy developed pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 65080.

(c)Within 60 days after the request submitted pursuant to subdivision (b), the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall accept the proposed revision, modify its earlier determination, or indicate, based upon the information and methodology described in Section 65584.04, why the proposed revision is inconsistent with the regional housing need.

(d)If the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, does not accept the proposed revised share or modify the revised share to the satisfaction of the requesting party, the local government may appeal its draft allocation based upon either or both of the following criteria:

(1)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, failed to adequately consider the information submitted pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 65584.04, or a significant and unforeseen change in circumstances has occurred in the local jurisdiction that merits a revision of the information submitted pursuant to that subdivision.

(2)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, failed to determine its share of the regional housing need in accordance with the information described in, and the methodology established pursuant to to, Section 65584.04.

(e)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall conduct public hearings to hear all appeals within 60 days after the date established to file appeals. The local government shall be notified within 10 days by certified mail, return receipt requested, of at least one public hearing on its appeal. The date of the hearing shall be at least 30 days and not more than 35 days after the date of the notification. Before taking action on an appeal, the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall consider all comments, recommendations, and available data based on accepted planning methodologies submitted by the appellant. The final action of the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, on an appeal shall be in writing and shall include information and other evidence explaining how its action is consistent with this article. The final action on an appeal may require the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, to adjust the allocation of a local government that is not the subject of an appeal.

(f)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall issue a proposed final allocation within 45 days after the completion of the 60-day period for hearing appeals. The proposed final allocation plan shall include responses to all comments received on the proposed draft allocation and reasons for any significant revisions included in the final allocation.

(g)In the proposed final allocation plan, the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall adjust allocations to local governments based upon the results of the revision request process and the appeals process specified in this section. If the adjustments total 7 percent or less of the regional housing need determined pursuant to Section 65584.01, or, as applicable, total 7 percent or less of the subregions share of the regional housing need as determined pursuant to Section 65584.03, then the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall distribute the adjustments proportionally to all local governments. If the adjustments total more than 7 percent of the regional housing need, then the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall develop a methodology to distribute the amount greater than the 7 percent to local governments. In no event shall the total distribution of housing need equal less than the regional housing need, as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01, nor shall the subregional distribution of housing need equal less than its share of the regional housing need as determined pursuant to Section 65584.03. Two or more local governments may agree to an alternate distribution of appealed housing allocations between the affected local governments. If two or more local governments agree to an alternative distribution of appealed housing allocations that maintains the total housing need originally assigned to these communities, then the council of governments shall include the alternative distribution in the final allocation plan.

(h)Within 45 days after the issuance of the proposed final allocation plan by the council of governments and each delegate subregion, as applicable, the council of governments shall hold a public hearing to adopt a final allocation plan. To the extent that the final allocation plan fully allocates the regional share of statewide housing need, as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01, the council of governments shall have final authority to determine the distribution of the regions existing and projected housing need as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01. The council of governments shall submit its final allocation plan to the department within three days of adoption. Within 60 days after the departments receipt of the final allocation plan adopted by the council of governments, the department shall determine whether or not the final allocation plan is consistent with the existing and projected housing need for the region, as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01. The department may revise the determination of the council of governments if necessary to obtain this consistency.

(i)Any authority of the council of governments to review and revise the share of a city or county of the regional housing need under this section shall not constitute authority to revise, approve, or disapprove the manner in which the share of the city or county of the regional housing need is implemented through its housing program.

(a)(1)For the fourth and subsequent revisions of the housing element pursuant to Section 65588, the department shall determine the existing and projected need for housing for each region pursuant to this article. For purposes of subdivision (a) of Section 65583, the share of a city or county of the regional housing need shall include that share of the housing need of persons at all income levels within the area significantly affected by the general plan of the city or county.

(2)While it is the intent of the Legislature that cities, counties, and cities and counties should undertake all necessary actions to encourage, promote, and facilitate the development of housing to accommodate the entire regional housing need, it is recognized, however, that future housing production may not equal the regional housing need established for planning purposes.

(b)The department, in consultation with each council of governments, shall determine each regions existing and projected housing need pursuant to Section 65584.01 at least two years prior to the scheduled revision required pursuant to Section 65588. The appropriate council of governments, or for cities and counties without a council of governments, the department, shall adopt a final regional housing need plan that allocates a share of the regional housing need to each city, county, or city and county at least one year prior to the scheduled revision for the region required by Section 65588. The allocation plan prepared by a council of governments shall be prepared pursuant to Sections 65584.04 and 65584.05 with the advice of the department.

(c)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the due dates for the determinations of the department or for the council of governments, respectively, regarding the regional housing need may be extended by the department by not more than 60 days if the extension will enable access to more recent critical population or housing data from a pending or recent release of the United States Census Bureau or the Department of Finance. If the due date for the determination of the department or the council of governments is extended for this reason, the department shall extend the corresponding housing element revision deadline pursuant to Section 65588 by not more than 60 days.

(d)The regional housing needs allocation plan shall be consistent with all of the following objectives:

(1)Increasing the housing supply and the mix of housing types, tenure, and affordability in all cities and counties within the region in an equitable manner, which shall result in each jurisdiction receiving an allocation of units for low- and very low income households.

(2)Promoting infill development and socioeconomic equity, the protection of environmental and agricultural resources, and the encouragement of efficient development patterns.

(3)Promoting an improved intraregional relationship between jobs and housing.

(4)Allocating a lower proportion of housing need to an income category when a jurisdiction already has a disproportionately high share of households in that income category, as compared to the countywide distribution of households in that category from the most recent decennial United States census.

(e)For purposes of this section, household income levels are as determined by the department as of the most recent decennial census pursuant to the following code sections:

(1)Very low incomes as defined by Section 50105 of the Health and Safety Code.

(2)Lower incomes, as defined by Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

(3)Moderate incomes, as defined by Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.

(4)Above moderate incomes are those exceeding the moderate-income level of Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.

(f)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, determinations made by the department, a council of governments, or a city or county pursuant to this section or Section 65584.01, 65584.02, 65584.03, 65584.04, 65584.05, 65584.06, 65584.07, or 65584.08 are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).

For the fourth and subsequent revision of the housing element pursuant to Section 65588, the department, in consultation with each council of governments, where applicable, shall determine the existing and projected need for housing for each region in the following manner:

(a)The departments determination shall be based upon population projections produced by the Department of Finance and regional population forecasts used in preparing regional transportation plans, in consultation with each council of governments. If the total regional population forecast for the projection year, developed by the council of governments and used for the preparation of the regional transportation plan, is within a range of 1.5 percent of the total regional population forecast for the projection year by the Department of Finance, then the population forecast developed by the council of governments shall be the basis from which the department determines the existing and projected need for housing in the region. If the difference between the total population projected by the council of governments and the total population projected for the region by the Department of Finance is greater than 1.5 percent, then the department and the council of governments shall meet to discuss variances in methodology used for population projections and seek agreement on a population projection for the region to be used as a basis for determining the existing and projected housing need for the region. If no agreement is reached, then the population projection for the region shall be the population projection for the region prepared by the Department of Finance as may be modified by the department as a result of discussions with the council of governments.

(b)(1)At least 26 months prior to the scheduled revision pursuant to Section 65588 and prior to developing the existing and projected housing need for a region, the department shall meet and consult with the council of governments regarding the assumptions and methodology to be used by the department to determine the regions housing needs. The council of governments shall provide data assumptions from the councils projections, including, if available, the following data for the region:

(A)Anticipated household growth associated with projected population increases.

(B)Household size data and trends in household size.

(C)The percentage of renters households that are overcrowded. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term overcrowded means more than one resident per room in each room in a dwelling.

(D)The rate of household formation, or headship rates, based on age, gender, ethnicity, or other established demographic measures.

(E)The vacancy rates in existing housing stock, and the vacancy rates for healthy housing market functioning and regional mobility, as well as housing replacement needs.

(F)Other characteristics of the composition of the projected population.

(G)The relationship between jobs and housing, including any imbalance between jobs and housing.

(2)The department may accept or reject the information provided by the council of governments or modify its own assumptions or methodology based on this information. After consultation with the council of governments, the department shall make determinations in writing on the assumptions for each of the factors listed in subparagraphs (A) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (1) and the methodology it shall use and shall provide these determinations to the council of governments.

(c)(1)After consultation with the council of governments, the department shall make a determination of the regions existing and projected housing need based upon the assumptions and methodology determined pursuant to subdivision (b). The regions existing and projected housing need shall reflect the achievement of a feasible balance between jobs and housing within the region using the regional employment projections in the applicable regional transportation plan. Within 30 days following notice of the determination from the department, the council of governments may file an objection to the departments determination of the regions existing and projected housing need with the department.

(2)The objection shall be based on and substantiate either of the following:

(A)The department failed to base its determination on the population projection for the region established pursuant to subdivision (a), and shall identify the population projection which the council of governments believes should instead be used for the determination and explain the basis for its rationale.

(B)The regional housing need determined by the department is not a reasonable application of the methodology and assumptions determined pursuant to subdivision (b). The objection shall include a proposed alternative determination of its regional housing need based upon the determinations made in subdivision (b), including analysis of why the proposed alternative would be a more reasonable application of the methodology and assumptions determined pursuant to subdivision (b).

(3)If a council of governments files an objection pursuant to this subdivision and includes with the objection a proposed alternative determination of its regional housing need, it shall also include documentation of its basis for the alternative determination. Within 45 days of receiving an objection filed pursuant to this section, the department shall consider the objection and make a final written determination of the regions existing and projected housing need that includes an explanation of the information upon which the determination was made.

(a)At least one and one-half years prior to the scheduled revision required by Section 65588, each council of governments and delegate subregion, as applicable, shall distribute a draft allocation of regional housing needs to each local government in the region or subregion, where applicable, based on the methodology adopted pursuant to Section 65584.04. The draft allocation shall include the underlying data and methodology on which the allocation is based. It is the intent of the Legislature that the draft allocation should be distributed prior to the completion of the update of the applicable regional transportation plan. The draft allocation shall distribute to localities and subregions, if any, within the region the entire regional housing need determined pursuant to Section 65584.01 or within subregions, as applicable, the subregions entire share of the regional housing need determined pursuant to Section 65584.03.

(b)Within 60 days following receipt of the draft allocation, a local government may request from the council of governments or the delegate subregion, as applicable, a revision of its share of the regional housing need in accordance with the factors described in paragraphs (1) to (9), inclusive, of subdivision (d) of Section 65584.04, including any information submitted by the local government to the council of governments pursuant to subdivision (b) of that section. The request for a revised share shall be based upon comparable data available for all affected jurisdictions and accepted planning methodology, and supported by adequate documentation. A request for a revised share pursuant to this subdivision shall be consistent with, and not to the detriment of, the development pattern in an applicable sustainable communities strategy developed pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 65080.

(c)Within 60 days after the request submitted pursuant to subdivision (b), the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall accept the proposed revision, modify its earlier determination, or indicate, based upon the information and methodology described in Section 65584.04, why the proposed revision is inconsistent with the regional housing need.

(d)If the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, does not accept the proposed revised share or modify the revised share to the satisfaction of the requesting party, the local government may appeal its draft allocation based upon either or both of the following criteria:

(1)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, failed to adequately consider the information submitted pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 65584.04, or a significant and unforeseen change in circumstances has occurred in the local jurisdiction that merits a revision of the information submitted pursuant to that subdivision.

(2)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, failed to determine its share of the regional housing need in accordance with the information described in, and the methodology established pursuant to Section 65584.04.

(e)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall conduct public hearings to hear all appeals within 60 days after the date established to file appeals. The local government shall be notified within 10 days by certified mail, return receipt requested, of at least one public hearing on its appeal. The date of the hearing shall be at least 30 days and not more than 35 days after the date of the notification. Before taking action on an appeal, the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall consider all comments, recommendations, and available data based on accepted planning methodologies submitted by the appellant. The final action of the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, on an appeal shall be in writing and shall include information and other evidence explaining how its action is consistent with this article. The final action on an appeal may require the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, to adjust the allocation of a local government that is not the subject of an appeal.

(f)The council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall issue a proposed final allocation within 45 days after the completion of the 60-day period for hearing appeals. The proposed final allocation plan shall include responses to all comments received on the proposed draft allocation and reasons for any significant revisions included in the final allocation.

(g)In the proposed final allocation plan, the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall adjust allocations to local governments based upon the results of the revision request process and the appeals process specified in this section. If the adjustments total 7 percent or less of the regional housing need determined pursuant to Section 65584.01, or, as applicable, total 7 percent or less of the subregions share of the regional housing need as determined pursuant to Section 65584.03, then the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall distribute the adjustments proportionally to all local governments. If the adjustments total more than 7 percent of the regional housing need, then the council of governments or delegate subregion, as applicable, shall develop a methodology to distribute the amount greater than the 7 percent to local governments. In no event shall the total distribution of housing need equal less than the regional housing need, as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01, nor shall the subregional distribution of housing need equal less than its share of the regional housing need as determined pursuant to Section 65584.03. Two or more local governments may agree to an alternate distribution of appealed housing allocations between the affected local governments. If two or more local governments agree to an alternative distribution of appealed housing allocations that maintains the total housing need originally assigned to these communities, then the council of governments shall include the alternative distribution in the final allocation plan.

(h)Within 45 days after the issuance of the proposed final allocation plan by the council of governments and each delegate subregion, as applicable, the council of governments shall hold a public hearing to adopt a final allocation plan. To the extent that the final allocation plan fully allocates the regional share of statewide housing need, as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01, the council of governments shall have final authority to determine the distribution of the regions existing and projected housing need as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01. The council of governments shall submit its final allocation plan to the department within three days of adoption. Within 60 days after the departments receipt of the final allocation plan adopted by the council of governments, the department shall determine whether or not the final allocation plan is consistent with the existing and projected housing need for the region, as determined pursuant to Section 65584.01. The department may revise the determination of the council of governments if necessary to obtain this consistency.

(i)Any authority of the council of governments to review and revise the share of a city or county of the regional housing need under this section shall not constitute authority to revise, approve, or disapprove the manner in which the share of the city or county of the regional housing need is implemented through its housing program.

(a)For the fourth and subsequent revision of the housing element pursuant to Section 65588, the department, in consultation with each council of governments, where applicable, shall determine the existing and projected need for housing for each region in the following manner:

(a)The departments determination shall be based upon population projections produced by the Department of Finance and regional population forecasts used in preparing regional transportation plans, in consultation with each council of governments. If the total regional population forecast for the projection year, developed by the council of governments and used for the preparation of the regional transportation plan, is within a range of 1.5 percent of the total regional population forecast for the projection year by the Department of Finance, then the population forecast developed by the council of governments shall be the basis from which the department determines the existing and projected need for housing in the region. If the difference between the total population projected by the council of governments and the total population projected for the region by the Department of Finance is greater than 1.5 percent, then the department and the council of governments shall meet to discuss variances in methodology used for population projections and seek agreement on a population projection for the region to be used as a basis for determining the existing and projected housing need for the region. If no agreement is reached, then the population projection for the region shall be the population projection for the region prepared by the Department of Finance as may be modified by the department as a result of discussions with the council of governments.

(b)(1)At least 26 months prior to the scheduled revision pursuant to Section 65588 and prior to developing the existing and projected housing need for a region, the department shall meet and consult with the council of governments regarding the assumptions and methodology to be used by the department to determine the regions housing needs. The council of governments shall provide data assumptions from the councils projections, including, if available, the following data for the region:

(A)Anticipated household growth associated with projected population increases.

(B)Household size data and trends in household size.

(D)The rate of household formation, or headship rates, based on age, gender, ethnicity, or other established demographic measures.

(E)The vacancy rates in existing housing stock, and the vacancy rates for healthy housing market functioning and regional mobility, as well as housing replacement needs.

(F)Other characteristics of the composition of the projected population.

(G)The relationship between jobs and housing, including any imbalance between jobs and housing.

(2)The department may accept or reject the information provided by the council of governments or modify its own assumptions or methodology based on this information. After consultation with the council of governments, the department shall make determinations in writing on the assumptions for each of the factors listed in subparagraphs (A) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (1) and the methodology it shall use and shall provide these determinations to the council of governments.

(c)(1)After consultation with the council of governments, the department shall make a determination of the regions existing and projected housing need based upon the assumptions and methodology determined pursuant to subdivision (c). (b). The regions existing and projected housing need shall reflect the achievement of a feasible balance between jobs and housing within the region using the regional employment projections in the applicable regional transportation plan. Within 30 days following notice of the determination from the department, the council of governments may file an objection to the departments determination of the regions existing and projected housing need with the department.

(2)The objection shall be based on and substantiate either of the following:

(A)The department failed to base its determination on the population projection for the region established pursuant to subdivision (b), (a), and shall identify the population projection which the council of governments believes should instead be used for the determination and explain the basis for its rationale.

(B)The regional housing need determined by the department is not a reasonable application of the methodology and assumptions determined pursuant to subdivision (c). (b). The objection shall include a proposed alternative determination of its regional housing need based upon the determinations made in subdivision (c), (b), including analysis of why the proposed alternative would be a more reasonable application of the methodology and assumptions determined pursuant to subdivision (c). (b).

(3)If a council of governments files an objection pursuant to this subdivision and includes with the objection a proposed alternative determination of its regional housing need, it shall also include documentation of its basis for the alternative determination. Within 45 days of receiving an objection filed pursuant to this section, the department shall consider the objection and make a final written determination of the regions existing and projected housing need that includes an explanation of the information upon which the determination was made.

(a)For the fourth and subsequent revision of the housing element pursuant to Section 65588, the department, in consultation with each council of governments, where applicable, shall determine the existing and projected need for housing for each region in the following manner:

(b)The departments determination shall be based upon population projections produced by the Department of Finance and regional population forecasts used in preparing regional transportation plans, in consultation with each council of governments. If the total regional population forecast for the projection year, developed by the council of governments and used for the preparation of the regional transportation plan, is within a range of 3 1.5 percent of the total regional population forecast for the projection year by the Department of Finance, then the population forecast developed by the council of governments shall be the basis from which the department determines the existing and projected need for housing in the region. If the difference between the total population projected by the council of governments and the total population projected for the region by the Department of Finance is greater than 3 1.5 percent, then the department and the council of governments shall meet to discuss variances in methodology used for population projections and seek agreement on a population projection for the region to be used as a basis for determining the existing and projected housing need for the region. If no agreement is reached, then the population projection for the region shall be the population projection for the region prepared by the Department of Finance as may be modified by the department as a result of discussions with the council of governments.

(c)(1)At least 26 months prior to the scheduled revision pursuant to Section 65588 and prior to developing the existing and projected housing need for a region, the department shall meet and consult with the council of governments regarding the assumptions and methodology to be used by the department to determine the regions housing needs. The council of governments shall provide data assumptions from the councils projections, including, if available, the following data for the region:

(A)Anticipated household growth associated with projected population increases.

(B)Household size data and trends in household size.

(D)The rate of household formation, or headship rates, based on age, gender, ethnicity, or other established demographic measures.

(E)The vacancy rates in existing housing stock, and the vacancy rates for healthy housing market functioning and regional mobility, as well as housing replacement needs.

(F)Other characteristics of the composition of the projected population.

(G)The relationship between jobs and housing, including any imbalance between jobs and housing.

(2)The department may accept or reject the information provided by the council of governments or modify its own assumptions or methodology based on this information. After consultation with the council of governments, the department shall make determinations in writing on the assumptions for each of the factors listed in subparagraphs (A) to (F), (G), inclusive, of paragraph (1) and the methodology it shall use and shall provide these determinations to the council of governments.

(d)(1)After consultation with the council of governments, the department shall make a determination of the regions existing and projected housing need based upon the assumptions and methodology determined pursuant to subdivision (c). The regions existing and projected housing need shall reflect the achievement of a feasible balance between jobs and housing within the region using the regional employment projections in the applicable regional transportation plan. Within 30 days following notice of the determination from the department, the council of governments may file an objection to the departments determination of the regions existing and projected housing need with the department.

(2)The objection shall be based on and substantiate either of the following:

(A)The department failed to base its determination on the population projection for the region established pursuant to subdivision (b), and shall identify the population projection which the council of governments believes should instead be used for the determination and explain the basis for its rationale.

(B)The regional housing need determined by the department is not a reasonable application of the methodology and assumptions determined pursuant to subdivision (c). The objection shall include a proposed alternative determination of its regional housing need based upon the determinations made in subdivision (c), including analysis of why the proposed alternative would be a more reasonable application of the methodology and assumptions determined pursuant to subdivision (c).

(3)If a council of governments files an objection pursuant to this subdivision and includes with the objection a proposed alternative determination of its regional housing need, it shall also include documentation of its basis for the alternative determination. Within 45 days of receiving an objection filed pursuant to this section, the department shall consider the objection and make a final written determination of the regions existing and projected housing need that includes an explanation of the information upon which the determination was made.