CERTIFIED 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) certified the Cypress 2021-2029 Housing Element on September 9, 2022. The City’s focus will now shift to implementation of Housing Element programs. For more information, please contact Alicia Velasco, Planning Director at avelasco@cypressca.org.

2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

The City of Cypress has prepared a Program Environmental Impact report for the 2021-2029 Housing Element Implementation. The City Council approved the PEIR at its July 8, 2024 public hearing. 

The Notice of Determination can be found below:

 Notice of Determination

The Final EIR is complete and can be found below:

Final Program Environmental Impact Report

The draft report and Notice of Availability can be found below:

Notice of Availability

The purpose of this notice is to inform local residents, institutions, agencies, and other interested parties about the
availability of the DEIR during the public comment period (May 7, 2024 to June 21, 2024). Public comment can be submitted to Alicia Velasco, Planning Director, at avelasco@cypressca.org. 

Draft Environmental Impact Report on the 2021-2029 Cypress Housing Element Implementation 

Appendices:

A1 - Notice of Preparation

A2- Initial Study

A3 - NOP Comment Letter

B1 - CalEEMod Output Sheets - Proposed Project

B2 - CalEEMod Output Sheets - Alternative Project

C1 - HRA Los Alamitos Race Course

C2 - Sensitivity Study Lincoln Avenue

D1 - Energy Calculations - Proposed Project

D2 - Energy Calculations - Alternative Project

E1 - 2045 Noise Volume Summary - Proposed Project

E2 - 2045 Noise Volume Summary - Alternative Project

F - Public Services and Utilizes Service Provider Communication

G - LOS and VMT Assessment

H - Tribal Consultation Record

Notice of Completion

Notice of Preparation

On March 13, 2023 the City council and informational workshop regarding the status of Housing Element Implementation. The presentation can be found here.

HCD Certification Letter dated September 9, 2022

Adopted City of Cypress Housing Element Update 2021-2029

Please click here to access the City Council staff report and technical appendices.

Approved Sites Inventory

California law mandates the City of Cypress meet state requirements and plan to accommodate 3,936 new housing units. Through the Housing Element update process,  the City determined dividing the allocation between the Lincoln Ave Specific Plan and the yet-to-be redeveloped Cypress Town Center and Commons Specific Plan had the best opportunity for meaningful housing production during the 2021-2029 Housing Element cycle. 

Proposed Project Summary

The City received housing credit for residential projects under construction at the time of Housing Element preparation, plus the 1,250 units already permitted within the Cypress Town Center and Commons Specific Plan. 

Sites Inventory Map:

Because the City's allocation cannot be implemented without an election, the State required the City to submit a back-up alternative as part of the Housing Element update. This alternative includes densities along Lincoln Ave between 30 and 60 dwelling units per acre. Other areas of the Lincoln Ave corridor remain unchanged. Zoning for Cypress Commons and Town Center Specific Plan remains unchanged with 1,250 units credited towards the RHNA allocation.

Alternative Project Summary:

Alternative Site Inventory Map:

Sites Inventory Table

Final Initial Study Negative Declaration

On October 11, 2021, the City Council authorized the submission of the Draft Housing Element to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review and comment. HCD has 60 days to provide comment.  

See the full presentation HERE.

Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element Update

Housing Element Technical Report

Notice of Intent

Initial Study and Negative Declaration

HOUSING ELEMENT WORKSHOP #2: Strategies to Meet the City’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment

On April 12 the City Council held a meeting to discuss the Housing Element Update and the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Scenario Selection. The presentation and staff report can be found below.

Staff Report

Full Presentation

Scenario 3 (PDF)

Scenario 4 (PDF)

Questions/Comments? Please contact Alicia Velasco, Planning Director at avelasco@cypressca.org or through the comment box below.

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PURPOSE OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE

View the January 21st Special City Council meeting presentation on the Housing Element which provides an overview of the purpose/goals of the Housing Element and the state regulatory requirements for the update.

Link to Presentation

WHAT IS THE HOUSING ELEMENT?

The Housing Element is one of the seven required elements of the General Plan. It is an assessment of the City’s housing needs and how to best accommodate the existing and future housing needs of the City. It must be adopted every eight years with a target adoption date of winter 2021. The Housing Element is reviewed for compliance by the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HOUSING ELEMENT?

Click on the following links to learn about Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) and the key players and their roles to ensure RHNA's objectives are met.

Housing for all - Part 1: https://youtu.be/00MDn3bG6VE

Housing for all - Part 2: https://youtu.be/iYcbvplH6v0

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN A HOUSING ELEMENT?

Per state law, the Housing Element is required to include the following components:

• A detailed analysis of the City’s demographic, economic and housing characteristics
• Identification of constraints to housing production
• A review of the City’s progress in implementing current housing policies and programs
• Development of goals and policies along with programs to implement them
• Identification of sites within the City that could accommodate new housing to meet the City’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA)

WHAT IS THE REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT (RHNA)?

The Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), is a state mandate set by HCD which determines the total number of new housing units which must be planned for in the eight year housing cycle. The City of Cypress’s allocation is 3,927 units broken down into the four income groups shown in the table. It is important to note, the City must only demonstrate in its Housing Element that, through its land use policies and zoning, it can accommodate both its total housing allocation as well as the allocation by income level.