Continued Progress Towards RHNA Goals
The Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process helps California plan for enough housing capacity across the state. The state’s housing agency, Housing and Community Development (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 need 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, which is the housing-related element, or chapter, of a local jurisdiction’s General Plan, 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 RHNA cycle. Based on community input, local data, and past performance, the plan focuses on five main goals:
- Build a wide range of safe, high-quality housing for all income levels;
- Reduce barriers that make building and maintaining homes difficult;
- Create healthy neighborhoods with good public services, parks, and infrastructure;
- Provide more affordable housing options and assistance to residents; and
- Make 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 is an additional 138,110 units. Just over forty percent (41%) of the target for new units are identified in the “Above Moderate” range, which is the highest income category in the RHNA. Approximately one-quarter (26%) are 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 Targets
| Income Group | 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 (https://www.hcd.ca.gov/housing-open-data-tools/apr-dashboard)
Progress Towards Housing Allocation Targets
The California Housing and Community Development (HCD) department tracks RHNA progress through building permits. As of 2024, San Bernardino County jurisdictions had permitted roughly 19%, or 26,699 total units, of the allocated 138,110 units. By income group, San Bernardino County has reached 39% of its “Above Moderate” income housing allocation, 9% of its “Moderate” income housing allocation, 8% of its “Low” income allocation, and approximately 1% of its “Very Low” income housing allocation.
OVERALL PERMITTED HOUSING APPROACHES ONE-FIFTH OF TOTAL ALLOCATION
Number of Housing Units Permitted and Allocated in RHNA 2021-2029 Planning Period by Housing Income Category in San Bernardino County, as of 2024
Between 2023 and 2024, the percentage of permits as a share of the overall allocation goal grew from 11% to 19%. Across all housing categories, “Above Moderate” income housing permits saw the fastest growth towards their allocation goals.
“ABOVE MODERATE” INCOME HOUSING PERMITS SEE FASTEST PROGRESS TOWARDS ALLOCATION GOALS
Housing Units Permitted as a Share of Allocation in RHNA 2021-2029 Planning Period by Housing Income Category in San Bernardino County, 2023 and 2024
Housing Permits by Owner/Renter Occupancy Status
To provide more opportunities for homeownership and advance the state’s housing goals, HCD may consider requirements for moderate or affordable owner-occupied housing production for the next RHNA planning period. For context, from 2022 through 2024 in San Bernardino County, “Above Moderate” housing permits were more likely to be for owner-occupied production compared to other housing income categories.