TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to work with all appropriate departments to report back to the City Council in 60 days with recommendations for implementing a pre-approved Accessory Dwelling Units program.
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach (City) is in the midst of a housing crisis. The 2013-2021 Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) set a target of 7,048 total housing units to be permitted over the next eight years in Long Beach. As of 2020, the City only permitted 59% of that goal, and achieved just 16% of the affordable housing unit target set by the RHNA.
The 2021-2029 RHNA, which was presented to Council with the proposed 6th Cycle Housing Element (Housing Element) on November 16, 2021, increased the City’s allocation to 26,502 total units, with 11,188 of those being low- and very-low-income units. There is a need to rapidly increase development of new, affordable, sustainable housing if such goals are to be met.
The proposed Housing Element outlines several strategies the City can utilize to achieve this goal, one of which is expanding development opportunities for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Due to their relatively low cost, small size, and compatibility with single-family zoning, they have the potential to be a useful tool for creating more low- and very-low-income housing units. The State has passed multiple bills in recent years to remove constraints to the development of ADUs, including SB 13 (2019), AB 587 (2019), and AB 671 (2019).
The proposed Housing Element projects there will be 2,800 ADUs permitted over the next eight years. One recommended action from the proposed Housing Element meant to facilitate the rapid construction of these units is the expansion of pre-approved standard ADU plan types. Pre-approved ADU plans expedite production by offering standardized floor plans which can be flipped to meet site conditions and come already reviewed by the city’s building and safety departments responsible for approving such p...
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