REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director Planning and Development Department BY: SOPHIA PAGOULATOS Planning and Development Department SUBJECT ..Title HEARING to receive public comment on the 2023 Housing Element and General Plan Annual Progress Reports ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that City Council: 1. Hold a public hearing to receive public comment on the 2023 Housing Element and General Plan Annual Progress Reports; and 2. Accept the 2023 Housing Element and General Plan Annual Progress Reports EXECUTIVE SUMMARY California law requires that the City of Fresno produce Housing Element and General Plan Annual Progress Reports (APR) to document the City's progress on implementation. The City is required to hold a public hearing on the Housing Element APR to afford the public an opportunity to provide public testimony and written comment on the APR. All comments received will then be forwarded to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the California Office of Planning and Research (OPR). The Housing Element and General Plan APRs are available here: www.fresno.gov/housingelement. BACKGROUND The City of Fresno Housing Element, adopted in 2016, is a coordinated and comprehensive strategy for promoting the production of safe, decent, and affordable housing for all community residents. Based on community input and data, it identifies housing needs and issues and establishes objectives, policies, and programs to address them. The Housing Element, which was valid through 2023, includes 28 programs designed to achieve the objectives in the Element. The APR is a summary of the status of each of those programs for the calendar year 2023, which marks the end of the Housing Element (fifth cycle). The City of Fresno General Plan, adopted in 2014, is a long-term vision for the city and includes implementation measures to achieve that vision. The General Plan is organized into 11 elements, or chapters, and includes 17 Goals, 102 Objectives, and 575 Implementing Policies. The General Plan APR is a summary of progress on implementation for the calendar year 2023. Both the General Plan and Housing Element APRs are intended for the public and decision-makers and they are required to be submitted to HCD and OPR by April 1 of every year. Public Participation Housing Element workshops were held on the following dates and locations to obtain input on housing issues and housing element progress. These workshops were held in partnership with Community Development Corporations that are working with the City on housing element outreach.: * February 25, 2023: El Dorado Park CDC, 1338 E. San Ramon Ave * March 1, 2023: Lowell CDC, Helm Home, 1719 L Street * March 1, 2023: Highway City CDC Community Resource Center, 4718 N. Polk Ave * March 4, 2023: Hidalgo CDC,3550 E. Thomas Ave. * March 14, 2023: Westside Church of God, 1422 W. California Ave. Public Notice for March 21, 2024 Council Hearing: A legal notice was placed in the Fresno Bee to inform the public of the March 21, 2024 City Council public hearing, the availability of the APRs and the public comment opportunity. The notice was also sent to the City's 750-person email list of residents interested in housing and planning issues. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Pursuant to the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378, this item does not qualify as a "project" and is therefore exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act requirements. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference is not applicable because this item does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund from this request. Attachments: Exhibit A: City of Fresno 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report Exhibit B: City of Fresno 2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report Exhibit C: PowerPoint presentation