During a presentation to the Signal Hill City Council on Tuesday, City staff discussed State housing goals and increases in the local stock of available housing.
California’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) sets new housing requirements for each city every eight years based on population, with various income levels identified.
In 2021, the State told the City that it needed to create another 517 new housing units by 2029 in order to meet state goals.
The RHNA requires that 239 of these new dwellings be available to those with extremely-low, very-low and low incomes; 90 for those with moderate incomes; and 188 for those with above-moderate incomes.
The City has planned the construction of two workforce housing developments. According to California Statewide Communities Development Authority, workforce housing is for individuals and households that earn between 60% and 120% of the Area Median Income. At times it is also known as middle-income or moderate-income housing.
Orange Bluff, a planned 9.2-acre site on Orange Avenue between 27th and 28th streets, would accommodate up to 289 new apartment units in three and four-story buildings for those with low and moderate incomes.
Walnut Bluff, at the corner of Walnut Avenue and Willow Street, will consist of up to 90 one to three-bedroom units in multi-story buildings for those who make a moderate income.
City staff said that 11 new accessory dwelling units (ADU) had been built throughout the city in 2023. Last year, the City of Signal Hill issued permits for the construction of seven ADUs, five of which have already been completed.
This information was included in the Signal Hill General Plan Annual Progress Report, which has to be submitted each year to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, as well as to the State Department of Housing and Community Development by April 1.
Councilmembers unanimously approved the Signal Hill General Plan Annual Progress Report for submission to the state offices.