The Housing Element is one of the required elements of the General Plan and establishes the City’s policy relative to the maintenance and development of housing to meet the needs of existing and future residents. Every eight years, the State requires jurisdictions to plan for allocation of new housing units potentially affordable to a range of income levels. Jurisdictions within the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) region, in which La Quinta is located, must complete the statutory housing element update for a planning period that extends from 2022 to 2029.

The 2022 Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) proposes that La Quinta provide the regulatory framework to facilitate the development of new housing units potentially affordable to a range of income levels. The City’s RHNA is 1,530 units for the 2022–2029 planning period. The RHNA includes housing planning goals for very low, low, moderate, and above moderate income households. La Quinta’s Housing Element sets forth a comprehensive housing plan consisting of goals, policies, and programs to address existing and projected housing needs.

Final La Quinta General Plan Housing Element Update

At the September 20, 2022 City Council meeting, Council approved adoption of final revisions to the 2022-2029 Housing Element (GPA2020-0001) via Resolution 2022-033.  These revisions included modifications requested by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

At the February 15, 2022 City Council Meeting, Council approved adoption of the Housing and Safety Element which includes the adoption of a Negative Declaration (EA 2021-0010) and a General Plan Amendment (GPA2020-0001), for the 2022-2029 Housing Element Update and Updates to the 2035 General Plan Chapter IV on Environmental Hazards (Safety Element).  

Resolution No. 2022-003: Adopting a Negative Declaration for General Plan Amendment 2020-0001 for the 2022-2029 Housing Element Update and Updates to 2035 General Plan Chapter IV, Environmental Hazards (Environmental Assessment 2021-0010)

Resolution No. 2022-004: Adopting a General Plan Amendment for the 2022-2029 Housing Element Update and Updates to 2035 General Plan Chapter IV, Environmental Hazards (General Plan Amendment 2020-0001)

Housing & Safety Element - Draft Negative Declaration and Environmental Initial Study
The City circulated the Draft Negative Declaration and Environmental Initial Study for public review and comment from October 29, 2021 to November 17, 2021.

• Draft Negative Declaration & Environmental Initial Study for Public Review
• La Quinta Housing Element - Revised Draft for Public Review

Project Resources

• December 8, 2020 Housing Element Update Presentation to Planning Commission
• January 12, 2021 Housing Element Update Presentation to Housing Commission
• January 13, 2021 Housing Element Workshop
• August 3, 2021 Housing Element Update Special Joint City Council and Planning Commission Study Session
• January 25, 2022 Housing Element Planning Commission Approval
• February 15, 2022 Housing Element City Council Approval