City Of Hercules: Hercules Begins Housing Element Update

Press release from the City of Hercules:

03/03/2022 3:44 PM

The City of Hercules is updating the Housing Element of its General Plan and invites residents to be a part of the update process. Per state law, the City’s Housing Element, which addresses challenges and solutions to community housing needs, must be updated every eight years. The City must adopt and submit its new Housing Element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development by January 31, 2023. 

 “We’re launching a public engagement plan to make sure that community members are informed, educated, and involved in the planning process,” said Mayor Dion Bailey. “We’re eager for public input and encourage residents to submit their ideas or concerns about the availability, affordability, and adequacy of housing in Hercules.”

Residents will have the opportunity to participate in the update process and submit their input through:

• Community Surveys (now accepting responses)
• Public Workshops (workshop #1 scheduled for March 21 at 7:00 PM)
• City Council Presentations and Workshops
• Planning Commission Presentation and Workshops
• Stakeholder Interviews and Focus Groups

The Housing Element will respond to State requirements for cities to affirmatively further fair housing through deliberate actions that explicitly address disparities resulting from past and current patterns of segregation to foster a more inclusive community. 

Additionally, having a certified Housing Element will qualify the City for several grants related to housing and transportation, including those needed to construct the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (RITC).

“Public input is vital to a Housing Element that is relevant to the current and future needs of our community,” said Dante Hall, City Manager for Hercules. “Residents have the opportunity right now to offer their ideas and feedback on an important issue that affects our entire community and one that will guide the City’s decision-making for the next eight years. We hope our community will work with us to update this plan, starting by completing our housing survey and attending our upcoming workshop.”

For more information about the Housing Element, please visit https://www.ci.hercules.ca.us/HousingElement or contact Robert Reber, AICP, Community Development Director at 510-799-8248 or HousingElement@ci.hercules.ca.us.

This press release was produced by the City of Hercules. The views expressed here are the author’s own.