FAQs

The GP APR tracks:

• the number of housing applications submitted and approved through the discretionary process
• the number of homes with building permits issued*
• the number of homes with building permits completed
• the number and location of surplus sites
• any land use changes
• progress in implementing the Housing Element

*The state specifically uses the number of homes with issued building permits to track progress towards RHNA. 

RHNA stands for Regional Housing Needs Assessment & Allocation. It starts at the state level, where the Housing and Community Development Department predict how much housing will be needed to support the current and projected future population. They distribute those numbers to a regional level. San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) then distributes the housing goal to each jurisdiction. The progress towards reaching that goal is measured and reported every year. RHNA is a goal – it is okay to build more or less houses than distributed by the state.

The categories are Very Low, Low, Moderate, and Above Moderate. Each category is created based on the Area Median Income for a household of four people which represents the Moderate Income category. Since this number changes annually, the ranges for each category is also updated annually.which represents the Moderate Income category. Since this number changes annually, the ranges for each category is also updated annually.

Building permits allow for construction to start in alignment with building code and safety standards. Any construction project requires a building permit.

 A discretionary project needs additional levels of review, sometimes environmental, and additional approvals due to number of units or type of project. Any discretionary project must be approved by the Director of PDS, the Planning Commission, or the Board of Supervisors.

A ministerial project does not need additional approvals and are typically smaller projects that meet the standards established in the County General Plan. All discretionary projects require a ministerial permit to start construction.

The Housing Element is a required part of the General Plan and lays out goals and policies that will help the County meet its housing needs.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines affordable housing as housing for which a household is paying 30% or less of the household’s gross income is spent on housing (mortgage or rent), including utilities. The 30% of income threshold serves as the indicator of housing affordability to ensure that households have enough money available to pay for other essential needs, such as food, transportation, and healthcare.

Housing that is available for purchase or rent at the rate the market will bear. Market rate housing usually does not receive funding or benefits from government or non-profit entities.