Based on demographic data, the state calculates housing need in coordination with each region's planning body, known as a Council of Governments (COG).
Housing elements are then reviewed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and must be adopted by the jurisdiction which is then responsible for ensuring there are enough sites and proper zoning to accommodate its RHNA allocation.
1980) in 1980, which was authored by Assemblyman Mike Roos (D-Los Angeles) and made previously advisory housing guidelines mandatory.
A 2019 UCLA study noted that completed construction did not meet assessments over the Housing Element planning period covering 2003–2014, with permitted construction at only 47 percent of assessed needs, and was predominantly for single-family homes.
[6] The study found that under existing (2019) zoning ordinances, not enough locations exist to meet Governor Gavin Newsom's campaign promise of 3.5 million new homes by 2025, and most of the locations where construction is allowed lie in areas where there is no demand.