Nearly a quarter of Redlands' 2029 housing goal has been met so far

REDLANDS, Calif. — The Redlands City Council received a report on the city's housing inventory and general plan goals during its March 19 meeting, focusing on the accomplishments of the previous year. 

Why it matters: The housing report shows nearly a quarter of housing need outlined in the current housing plan has been met. However, progress towards the overall goal remains disproportionately high within the above moderate income level.

While no direct action comes from the filing of the annual report it is a valuable resource to measure the city’s progress to see both what has been achieved and what areas might need additional attention moving forward.  

Details: The 2021-2029 Housing Element was adopted in October 2022. The progress report submitted to the California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD), notes that “substantial progress has been made.”

This progress encompasses the adoption of the Transit Villages Specific Plan and the opening of the Home Key housing center. It also includes efforts to provide more resources, assistance and information on equal housing opportunities, housing development projects and the building of accessory dwelling units on city webpages. 

Most notably, the report provided a summary of the progress made to meet the required housing units outlined in the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHND). The city is responsible for creating 3,516 new housing units by 2029. So far, the city has issued permits to build 851 new units, which is 24% of the total RHNA goal. 

Below is a breakdown of the progress made for each income category from 2021 to 2023. With only 11% and 3% of the allocated units planned, moderate housing and very low income housing will require much more attention in the years to come if Redlands is to meet the RHNA target.

General Plan report: The update on the 2035 General Plan included a nod to the city’s rezoning efforts of 25 identified parcels that will help accommodate the housing goal. In the same vein, the report highlighted Redland’s efforts towards improving inclusionary housing through the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance that was adopted on July 5, 2023, and the new in-lieu fees that were adopted on Dec. 19, 2023. Both of these are also mentioned in the Housing Element report.

Zoom out: The annual progress report is required of all local jurisdictions and must be submitted to the California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) and the Governor’s Office of Planning & Research (OPR) by April 1. The report covers the status of the city’s 2035 General Plan programs as well as the 2021-2029 Housing Element programs for 2023. 

Moving forward: Looking ahead, the city has many projects currently underway and many more to be discussed in 2024. With about a quarter of the RHNA target having been met, residents can expect future initiatives to further expand housing.