Uneven Progress Towards RHNA Housing Allocation Goals
The Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process helps California plan for sufficient housing across the state. The state’s housing agency (the California Department of Housing and Community Development, or HCD) works with regional councils of governments (COGs) to determine the amount of housing each region needs, considering factors like population growth, overcrowding, and the need for affordable homes. Once determined, each COG decides how to divide the housing needs among the cities and counties in its region, using a state-reviewed plan that aims to promote equitable, job-accessible, and environmentally responsible communities. Local governments must update their Housing Element to show how they will meet these targets. This process happens every eight years and is key to making sure communities plan for the homes people need at all income levels. This indicator presents two metrics from the San Bernardino County RHNA Annual Progress Report: progress towards RNHA goals, and number of units permitted.
San Bernardino County Housing Goals
The San Bernardino County Council of Governments’ 25 member jurisdictions work together to meet the housing needs of the community within the 2021-2029 eight-year RHNA cycle. Based on community input, local data, and past performance, the plan focuses on five main goals:
- building a wide range of safe, high-quality housing for all income levels;
- reducing barriers that make building and maintaining homes difficult;
- creating healthy neighborhoods with good public services, parks, and infrastructure;
- providing more affordable housing options and assistance to residents; and
- making sure fair housing practices are followed so everyone has equal access to housing.
The collective Housing Elements of the jurisdictions serve as policy guides to address comprehensive housing needs and include policies and specific programs to guide zoning, development, neighborhood improvements, and housing assistance, all aimed at creating a more affordable, inclusive, and vibrant San Bernardino County.
TREND
Housing Allocation Targets
According to the RHNA covering the planning period from October 2021 to October 2029, the housing target for San Bernardino County reflects that an additional 138,110 units are needed. Just over forty percent (41%) of the target for new units is identified in the “Above Moderate” range, which is the highest income category in the RHNA. Approximately one-quarter (26%) is planned in the Very Low range, which is the lowest income category in the RHNA. The remaining units in the allocation target are in the Low (16%) and Moderate (17%) income categories.
“ABOVE MODERATE” AND “VERY LOW” INCOME GROUPS COMPRISE GREATEST SHARES OF HOUSING ALLOCATION
2021-2029 San Bernardino County Regional Housing Needs Allocation
| Definition* | Number of Units | Percentage of Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Low | Affordable to incomes of 0-50% AMI (up to $37,650) | 35,667 | 26% |
| Low | Affordable to incomes of 51-80% AMI (up to $60,250) | 21,903 | 16% |
| Moderate | Affordable to incomes of 81-120% AMI (up to $90,350) | 24,140 | 17% |
| Above Moderate | Affordable to incomes of 120% AMI + (above $90,350) | 56,400 | 41% |
| Total | 138,110 | 100% |
*AMI=Area median income for a four-person household based on state income surveys.
Source: California Housing and Community Development: Housing Element Implementation and APR Data Dashboard (www.hcd.ca.gov/planning-and-community-development/housing-element-implementation-and-apr-dashboard)
Progress Towards Housing Allocation Targets
HCD tracks RHNA progress through building permits. As of 2023, San Bernardino County jurisdictions had permitted roughly 11%, or 14,588 total units, of the allocated 138,110 units. By income group, countywide permit progress totals approximately one-fifth (21%) of its Above Moderate income housing allocation, 5% each of its Low Income and Moderate Income housing allocation, and approximately 1% of its Very Low Income housing allocation.
CURRENT “ABOVE MODERATE INCOME” HOUSING ALLOCATION ATTAINMENT HIGHER THAN OTHER HOUSING INCOME CATEGORIES
Number of Housing Units Permitted and Allocated in RHNA 2021-2029 Planning Period by Housing Income Category in San Bernardino County, as of 2023
Housing Permits by Owner/Renter Occupancy Status
As California plans for the next RHNA, it may consider requirements for moderate or affordable owner-occupied housing production to provide more opportunities for homeownership and advance the state’s housing goals. For context, in 2022 and 2023 (the first two full years in the current RHNA planning cycle) in San Bernardino County, Above Moderate housing permits were more likely to be for owner-occupied production compared to other housing income categories.