The Goleta City Council is holding a special meeting next Tuesday, June 28, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the City’s Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element. The Housing Element establishes City policies and programs for maintaining and improving existing housing, as well as accommodating development of new housing to meet the City’s assigned share of housing needs under the Regional Housing Needs Assessment. We hope you will join the meeting in-person at Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive) or via Zoom at https://tinyurl.com/yc3heh7c. Spanish interpretation will be available via Zoom. You can also watch the meeting live or anytime on our website in high-definition at www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings or on Goleta TV Channel 19.

Also, if you have questions in advance, staff will be at the South Coast Housing Workshop tomorrow, Wednesday, June 22, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Central Library Faulkner Gallery (40 East Anapamu Street). We encourage you to attend and learn more about Goleta’s Housing Element. Spanish interpretation will be available. Click here for more information and to register.

As required by state law, the City of Goleta is updating its 6^th housing cycle (2023-2031). Staff is seeking Council direction to submit the Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for a 90-day review. The Planning Commission considered the Draft Housing Element on May 9 and May 23 and provided three recommended revisions to the Council.

Public outreach has been an important part of this process. The City thanks the more than 600 people who completed an online housing survey. In addition, there were numerous Planning Commission meetings and a 30-day public comment review period.

The Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element policies include:

-Maintain and Improve Existing Housing and Neighborhoods

-Facilitate New Housing Development to Meet Growth Needs for Persons of All Income Levels

-Fair Housing and Special Needs

-Energy and Conservation and Sustainable Development

-Community Partnerships in Support of Local and Regional Housing Policies

To learn more, read the staff report here: https://tinyurl.com/4w5bfjet or visit the project page on our website at https://www.cityofgoleta.org/housingelement. The full agenda is available at https://tinyurl.com/2eca74yu.