The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is updating California’s fair housing plan, also known as the Analysis of Impediments (AI) to fair housing choice (background information included below).
On January 4, 2024, HCD held the fair housing plan kick-off webinar, which provided an overview of HCD’s duty to affirmatively further fair housing, and current fair housing trends and existing conditions. The kick-off webinar also provided an overview of its first phase of the fair housing plan outreach and engagement, including the six topic-specific listening sessions HCD is conducting from January 31, through March 5, 2024. While urban and rural communities share similar fair housing challenges, there are significant and unique challenges of each type of community that require different housing and community development solutions. HCD hopes to hear from stakeholders, advocates, and community members, on the most pressing housing and community development needs in urban and rural communities, and how fair housing choice can be expanded in each.
| Urban Communities Webinar Wednesday, March 13, 2024 1:00 – 2:30 pm PST  |  | Rural Communities Webinar Wednesday, March 20, 2024 1:30 – 3:00 pm PST |
Reasonable Accommodations
Individuals who require auxiliary aids, services, or sign language interpreters for HCD meetings should contact Suzanne Hemphill, Americans with Disabilities Act Responsible Employee, at (916) 776-7429 or aifairhousingreport@hcd.ca.gov or contact Relay California at 800-735-2929 at least three business days before the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Non-English-speaking individuals who require interpreters for meetings should contact Suzanne Hemphill by phone at (916) 776-7429 or by email at aifairhousingreport@hcd.ca.gov at least three days before the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Questions? For questions, please email HCD’s AI fair housing team at aifairhousingreport@hcd.ca.gov.
Background: What is an AI fair housing plan?
HCD receives federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for multiple housing and community development programs. These federal funds require HCD to affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH). The obligation to AFFH requires recipients to take meaningful actions, in addition to combating discrimination, that overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity.
The HUD Fair Housing Planning Guide defines and AI fair housing plan as:
- Conduct an analysis to identify impediments to fair housing choice within the state or jurisdiction.
- Take appropriate actions to overcome the effects of any impediments identified through the analysis.
- Maintain records reflecting the analysis and actions taken in this regard.
An AI provides a comprehensive analysis of the state’s fair housing impediments to fair housing choice. It incorporates census data, HUD-provided data, state, regional and local data, academic research, policy and legislative analysis, outreach and engagement, and community input. Ultimately, this process aims to ensure that all people are free to choose to live where they want to and are not denied opportunity because of where they live.
Links and Resources:
Chapter 13 — Impediments, Recommendations and Action Steps (PDF)