Santa Clara County

In Compliance
Out of Compliance
Unincorporated Area
Unincorporated Area
Unincorporated Area

Overview

Population
Density
Avg. Household Income
$
Experiencing Rent Burden
0
Providing adequate housing options is a key function of local governments. To help residents ensure their local government is meeting this need, we’ve compiled important information about this jurisdiction’s housing efforts below.
Housing Element is In Compliance
This city is currently working on implementing its housing element.
Housing Element is Out of Compliance
This city is currently working on implementing its housing element.
Good Progress
This city is currently on track to meet their RHNA housing targets.
Making Slow Progress
This city is falling behind. It is not on track to meet its housing targets.
Housing Targets
Every 8 years California assesses housing need and assigns each city with a target they must hit. If 
Santa Clara County
 repeats its efforts from the previous cycle 
it will meet its RHNA targets.
Current RHNA Target
2022
 
-
 
2030
On Target
Behind
Hit Target
Missed
220
 / 
3125
 units
Very Low Income
Low Income
Median Income
Above Median Income
State Statutes
Organizers fighting for fair housing can use many state laws to ensure that jurisdictions meet their housing targets.
Builder’s Remedy
When a city’s Housing Element is out of compliance, the Builder’s Remedy allows developers to bypass the zoning code and city plans another couple of words.
Applies
Applies
Applies
SB 423
When cities lack a compliant housing element or are behind on RHNA, this statute streamlines approval of projects that meet a threshold of affordable units.
10% Affordable & 20% Moderate
10% Affordable & 20% Moderate
Conditions in 
Santa Clara County
HE Compliance
How does
 
Santa Clara County
 
compare to its neighboring cities?
This city is currently doing a better job than its neighbors at meeting housing needs.
Progress
1
1
Income
-71
-71
Density
-30
-30
Join the Fun!
Key parts of
Santa Clara County
’s housing element are currently being worked on. Get involved to hold them accountable for meeting their deadlines.
Santa Clara County
's Volunteers
5
Current Watchdogs
  
Level I
5/10 Volunteers
Upcoming Opportunities
Add Event
These upcoming events and tasks are great opportunities to make a difference in your community.
Event Name
Date
Type
Stop by Drinks & Agendas
Each Friday at 12:00PST our team gets together via Zoom to monitor local agendas so we can direct watchdogs to key meetings where decisions are being made about housing.
Watchdog Reports
Add Report
Our watchdogs are on the ground observing and taking part in the fight for fair housing. Read their reports below.
Santa Clara County
's Reports
Anonymous
Leora Tanjuatco Ross
  
11
/
24

The City of Mountain View City Council just voted to remove parking minimums in ~all of the densest parts of the city. This was a Housing Element program that got added to the Housing Element specifically due to advocacy from Mountain View YIMBY

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 Loss
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 Pro Housing
   
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 Win
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 Pro Housing
   
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Deferred
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 Pro Housing
Anonymous
Jack Farrell
  
10
/
24

The City of Milpitas adopted its Housing Element Update on January 24, 2023, and HCD found the adopted Housing Element Update in substantial compliance on May 17, 2023. Therefore, the City of Milpitas has 3 years from the adoption date, January 24, 2026, to complete its rezoning.

 

The City plans to implement this rezoning through two projects:

  1. Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Update: We’ve completed Phase 1 of the project, which focused on bringing the Zoning Ordinance into compliance with the General Plan and rezoning sites identified in the recent Housing Element Update.
  2. Housing Opportunity Districts: While Phase 1 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Update has already implemented most of the required rezonings, there are few sites in the City’s proposed Housing Opportunity Districts (HODs), which have yet to be rezoned. The HODs proposes to rezone and upzone the City’s aging shopping centers to facilitate mixed-use redevelopment, which is a key policy outlined in the City’s General Plan. This project is still in progress and we anticipate adoption by early 2025. However, we have run into significant community opposition along the way despite the City’s attempts to educate the public on the importance and necessity of completing this project. The community is generally concerned with the potential impacts of high-density multifamily development on their single-family residential neighborhoods nearby (privacy, property value, etc.) and the City’s services overall (traffic, utilities, etc.). Please feel free to review the change.org petition for more information on their concerns. I’ve also attached the City’s response to the petition.

 

We welcome YIMBY’s support for the HODs, which is critical to the City completing the required rezoning for Housing Element compliance. A community workshop is scheduled for 12/9 at the Milpitas Senior Center (40 N Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas, CA 95035). You’re welcome to attend this workshop, although the discussion will be focused on the specifics of the zoning strategy rather than the project as a whole this time around. You may also draft a letter to the City, which we can share with decision makers, or participate in any adoption hearings early next year.

Read More
   
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 Loss
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 Pro Housing
   
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 Win
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 Pro Housing
   
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Deferred
/
 Pro Housing
Anonymous
Kevin Ma
  
09
/
24

There are no housing related items in the agenda

Read More
   
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 Loss
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 Pro Housing
   
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 Win
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 Pro Housing
   
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Deferred
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 Pro Housing