Regional Housing Needs Assessment

6th Cycle Final RHNA Allocation, Methodology, and Regional Housing Needs Determinations

In March 2021, SCAG adopted its 6th cycle RHNA allocation plan, which covers the planning period October 2021 through October 2029. For the 6th cycle, SCAG received a regional housing needs determination (RHND) from HCD of 1,341,827 housing units, which was distributed to all 197 SCAG cities and counties.

6th Cycle Final RHNA Allocation Plan - Adopted by the SCAG Regional Council in March 2021 and amended in July 2021.
Final RHNA Methodology (Updated March 2020)
Final RHNA Methodology Data Appendix (Updated 3/5/20)
HCD Final Regional Housing Need Determination

Resources & Links

SCAG Housing Resources

SCAG Housing Resources, include information on Regional Early Action Planning Grant programs, technical assistance, and SB 79. 

California Department of Housing and Community Development

HCD is responsible for reviewing local housing element updates and providing comments in accordance with state housing law: California Department of Housing and Community Development.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

HUD’s​ mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Fair Housing Policy & Data

The FHEO administers and enforces federal laws and establishes policies that make sure all Americans have equal access to the housing of their choice: U.S. Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.

RHNA Reform

HCD published a RHNA Reform Report that identified issues with the regional determination process in the 6th Cycle and recommended improvements that could be implemented in the 7th Cycle.

Regional Housing Needs Assessment FAQ

What is RHNA? How does RHNA affect my jurisdiction’s general plan?

The Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process is required by state housing law to determine projected and existing housing needs for all jurisdictions (cities or unincorporated counties) in California. The process to determine a RHNA allocation is conducted by a council of governments, such as SCAG, every eight years. Every jurisdiction must plan for its RHNA allocation in the housing element of its general plan by ensuring there are enough sites and zoning to accommodate its RHNA allocation. Many jurisdictions use the housing element as an opportunity to complement economic development, open space, and sustainability goals with housing goals. Once updated, housing elements are reviewed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and must be adopted by the jurisdiction.

The 5th Cycle RHNA allocation for the SCAG region was adopted in October 2012 and covers the housing element planning period from October 2013 to October 2021. The 6th cycle allocation, which covers the planning period from October 2021 through October 2029, was adopted in March 2021. The 7th Cycle allocation, which will cover the planning period from October 2029 through October 2037, must be adopted by October 2028.

How will it affect California’s housing crisis?

RHNA helps communities to plan for housing that supports affordability, equity, economic growth, and sustainability. California has a serious housing shortage, which affects the number of homes available and affordability, and the current crisis is a result of a cumulative deficit in housing supply. The crisis has far-reaching effects ranging from company relocations and employment losses to fewer dollars spent on basic needs to increased traffic due to longer commutes. Ensuring that there are enough places to accommodate housing needs is the first step in helping to increase housing supply.

How does SCAG decide a jurisdiction’s RHNA allocation?

The RHNA process has several milestones before the adoption of the final allocation plan. First, HCD provides a regional housing need determination to SCAG. For the 6th cycle, the region's RHND was 1,341,827 units. For the 7th cycle, HCD is required to provide the regional housing need determination to SCAG by October 2026. SCAG develops a methodology to distribute the regional determination so that every jurisdiction will receive a share of the regional number. The methodology must be reviewed by HCD before final adoption by the SCAG Regional Council.

What is the approval process for the RHNA methodology?

State housing law requires that every council of governments, including SCAG, adopt a RHNA methodology to distribute existing and projected housing need to every jurisdiction within the region. The process to develop a draft RHNA methodology involves extensive public input, including public hearings and other opportunities for comment and engagement. SCAG must submit a draft RHNA methodology to HCD for its 60-day review and comment period. Per recent legislation, HCD must approve SCAG's methodology prior to SCAG adoption.

The 7th cycle draft RHNA methodology will be developed between October 2026 and early 2028.

What are the factors that influence the RHNA methodology?

State law does not prescribe a single formula. Instead, it requires that the methodology advances the five statutory objectives of RHNA, as defined in Government Code Section 65584(d). Factors that determine the RHNA methodology can vary by cycle and by councils of governments. For the 7th Cycle, SCAG will develop a RHNA methodology through a public process prior to approval from HCD and adoption by the Regional Council.

As an example, SCAG’s 6th cycle RHNA methodology used a combination of factors such as: 

• Household growth (based on the Growth Forecast for the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy).
• Job accessibility.
• Transit accessibility.

These factors were used to calculate each jurisdiction’s share of housing needs, alongside adjustments to address equity considerations. For example, SCAG applied a social equity adjustment to distribute units across income categories, based on indicators such as household income and access to opportunity. In some cases, additional adjustments were made to redistribute units from lower-resource areas to higher-opportunity areas to better align with state objectives. 

It should be noted that the factors incorporated for the 7th RHNA cycle may be different. The specific factors and weightings will ultimately be determined by the Regional Council and evaluated by HCD as part of the formal review process.

What is the role of local input in RHNA? What is the methodology’s relationship to the Connect SoCal Plan?

Local input, or more accurately SCAG’s Growth Forecast, plays an important role in regional planning. The Growth Forecast is developed using reputable data sources and then reviewed by panels of experts, partner agencies, and local jurisdictions in determining future growth patterns in the region. The Growth Forecast is used as a basis for Connect SoCal transportation planning and for the RHNA methodology and is the starting point for determining need.

State housing law requires that the RHNA be informed by the development pattern of the Sustainable Communities Strategy (one component of Connect SoCal) but does not specify any other requirements between the two plans. For the 6th cycle, the inclusion of transit and job access as major factors in the RHNA methodology aligned with the strategies in Connect SoCal, strengthening the connection between the two regional plans.

Will there be an opportunity to appeal my jurisdiction’s RHNA allocation?

All jurisdictions and HCD have the opportunity to appeal a jurisdiction’s draft RHNA allocation once it has been issued. For the 7th cycle, the appeals period will take place from April 2028 through Summer 2028. All filed appeals will be reviewed and determined by the RHNA Appeals Board.

How can I become involved in the RHNA process and housing programs at SCAG?

SCAG conducts extensive engagement with stakeholders on RHNA, housing element assistance, and the acceleration of housing production in the region. Announcements of public workshops, meetings, and milestones are made through the housing email list. If you would like to sign up for the housing email list, you can subscribe on the SCAG website. To submit a written comment or question, please email housing@scag.ca.gov. Additional resources on RHNA and housing can also be found on the SCAG website.

Will my jurisdiction be penalized if we do not build enough housing?

Jurisdictions are required to plan their RHNA allocation, and there are penalties for not doing so, but there are no direct penalties for not building enough housing. However, residential projects that meet certain conditions and are located in jurisdictions that did not permit enough housing consistent with RHNA goals may elect a ministerial process for project approval.