Specifications include, but are not limited to: Task 1: Housing Element Assessment 1.1 Document Review: The consultant will review all applicable City, Regional, and State documents pertaining to the Housing Element update, including but not limited to the City’s General Plan (adopted, 2010), existing Specific Plans, Municipal Code, the Zoning Ordinance, building permit data and any other City Housing Policies, programs or codes. It should be noted that the City updated the City’s Zoning Ordinance (July, 2013). The consultant will be responsible for identifying and resolving any information gaps. 1.2 Evaluate the Current Housing Element: The Consultant will review and evaluate the current Housing Element and its programs, including: Evaluate the status, effectiveness and appropriateness of the current housing policy program and identify any barriers to implementation such as the loss of redevelopment; Compare identified goals from the adopted Housing Element to actual accomplishments during the plan period; Evaluate the existing Housing Element in relation to current State housing laws and identify any omissions or deficiencies; Prepare a Housing Element assessment memo summarizing the results from this analysis and recommending specific changes to be incorporated into the Housing Element update; Consider the finding of the Housing Element assessment memo, prepare a detailed outline for the Housing Element update; Assess the use of the Streamlined Update Review Process offered by HCD Deliverables: One electronic copy (in pdf format) of the Housing Element assessment memo One electronic copy (in pdf format) of the Housing Element update outline. Task 2: Prepare Housing Element Components The consultant will prepare the components of a draft Housing Element that addresses the requirements of State Law. In preparing the Housing Element update, the consultant will proactively identify issues, immediately bring those issues to the City Staff, identify potential solutions, and coordinate with City Staff as to the best course of action. The consultant will regularly communicate and meet with City Staff as necessary to resolve issues. 2.1 Needs Analysis: The Consultant will complete a housing assessment and needs analysis pursuant to State law. The Consultant will obtain and analyze demographic, economic and housing data for the City and develop a housing needs assessment using State approved criteria. The assessment will include but is not limited to: Population, demographic and employment trends with the accompanying analysis of the existing and projected share of regional housing needs for all income levels. Housing Cost, affordability, housing characteristics, housing stock, and market conditions (including overcrowding and overpayment) Housing stock characteristics, including at-risk units and vacant and underutilized land Potential for increased residential development under the existing zoning requirements and General Plan policies Special housing needs (e.g., large families, seniors, homeless, special needs etc.). 2.2 Housing Resources and Opportunities: The consultant will identify housing resources, including programmatic, physical and financial. In addition, the consultant will prepare an “adequate site analysis” showing the relationship between the City’s RHNA allocation and the dwelling unit capacity and availability of potential housing sites based on zoning and General Plan policies, requirements and limitations. The analysis will evaluate and include: Funding sources Regulatory incentives for housing Opportunities for energy conservation for residential development Existing assisted housing developments that are eligible to change designation from lowincome housing during the Housing Element planning period. An inventory of vacant and/or underdeveloped land and its suitability for housing development.