Latinos Unidos etc. v. County of Napa

DISCUSSION

I. The County’s Housing Element

A. Summary of the Housing Element Law Declaring housing availability to be of “vital statewide importance” and the “attainment of decent housing and a suitable living environment . . . a priority of the highest order,” the Legislature enacted the Housing Element Law, which requires local governments to adopt a “housing element” as a component of its general plan. (§ 65580 et seq., added by Stats. 1980, ch. 1143, p. 3697, § 3; Fonseca v. City of Gilroy (2007) 148

2 Cal.App.4th 1174, 1183 (Fonseca).) The purpose of the Housing Element Law is, among other things, “[t]o assure . . . cities [will] recognize their responsibilities in contributing to the attainment of the state housing goal,” including “housing affordable to low- and moderate-income households.” (§§ 65580, subd. (c), 65581, subd. (a).)3 A local government‟s housing element must be reviewed and revised every five to eight years. (§§ 65583, 65588, subds. (b), (e).) The housing element of a general plan must contain specific components, analyses, goals and policies. (§ 65583.)4 The housing element must include, among other things, “[a]n inventory of land suitable for…