Item3.Staff Report with Attachments
PREPARED BY: ERIN WALTERS AND JOCELYN SHOOPMAN
Associate Planner and Associate Planner
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
MEETING DATE: 06/16/2022
ITEM NO: 3 TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HOUSING ELEMENT ADVISORY BOARD REPORT
DATE: June 10, 2022
TO: Housing Element Advisory Board
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Review and Discussion of the Housing Element Draft Goals, Policies, and
Programs.
BACKGROUND:
On June 7, 2022, the Town Council accepted the sites in Tier 1 for inclusion in the Draft Site
Inventory as recommended by the Housing Element Advisory Board (HEAB) at their May 19,
2022, meeting.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this meeting is to review and discuss the draft Goals, Polices, and
Implementation Programs of the Housing Element, in addition to considering whether there
should be additions, deletions, or modifications (Attachment 4). The Goals, Policies, and
Implementation Programs section is a critical component of the Housing Element and is
intended to address the housing needs of Los Gatos.
In order to develop the Goals, Policies, and Implementation Programs section, a review of the
impediments to fair housing choice is conducted and forms the basis of policy development.
The analysis:
• Provides a demographic profile of Los Gatos;
• Assesses the extent of housing needs among specific groups;
• Evaluates the range of available housing choices;
• Produces an analysis of private market and public sector conditions that may limit housing
choices or impede a person’s access to housing;
• Identifies impediments that may prevent equal housing access; and
• Develops solutions to mitigate or remove such impediments.
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DISCUSSION (continued):
Information presented for the HEAB’s consideration at this meeting, includes the Housing
Needs Assessment with demographic information (Attachment 1), the existing 2015 to 2023
Housing Element Goals, Policies, and Actions Evaluation (Attachment 2), and the latest Annual
Progress Report to the Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) (Attachment
3).
Housing Needs Assessment
The Housing Needs Assessment (Attachment 1), which will become Appendix 2 to the Housing
Element, contains demographic data for the Town of Los Gatos. In general, a Housing Needs
Assessment is typically used by local governments to identify housing issues that can inform
strategic policy decisions related to the housing market. Key takeaways to consider for future
policy development include:
• The population of Los Gatos increased by 10.0 percent from 2000 to 2020, which is below
the growth rate of the Bay Area.
• In 2019, the Los Gatos youth population under the age of 18 was 6,767 and the senior
population 65 and older was 6,393. These age groups represent 22 percent and 20.8
percent, respectively, of the Los Gatos population.
• In 2020, 72.3 percent of the Los Gatos population was White, while 0.9 percent was African
American, 14.8 percent was Asian, and 7.9 percent was Latinx. People of color in Los Gatos
comprise below the overall proportion seen in the Bay Area as a whole.
• The number of homes in Los Gatos increased, 4.5 percent from 2010 to 2020, which is
below the growth rate for Santa Clara County and below the growth rate of the region’s
housing stock during this time period.
• Home prices increased by 98.4 percent from 2010 to 2020 and rental prices increased by
60.9 percent from 2009 to 2019.
• The majority of the housing stock in Los Gatos are detached single-family homes, which is
above that of other jurisdictions in the region.
• In Los Gatos, 17.5 percent of households spend 30 percent to 50 percent of their income on
housing, while 16.4 percent of households are severely cost burden ed and use the majority
of their income for housing.
• In Los Gatos, 9.3 percent of residents have a disability of some kind and may require
accessible housing. Additionally, 5.9 percent of Los Gatos households are larger households
with five or more people, who likely need larger housing units with three bedrooms or
more. Approximately, 8.2 percent of households are female-headed families, which are
often at greater risk of housing insecurity.
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DISCUSSION (continued):
Review of Previous Housing Element
The review and analysis of the existing 2015 to 2023 Housing Element Goals, Policies, and
Actions Evaluation (Attachment 2), will become Appendix E to the Housing Element and
provides an evaluation of the existing policy framework and is an important feature of the
Housing Element update. This review facilitates a comprehensive update to determine what
was most effective to achieve the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for the fifth cycle.
The evaluation includes a recommendation to continue, modify, or delete a program and/or
action based on its overall effectiveness. This information was presented to the HEAB at their
December 16, 2021, meeting and has been updated based on current data.
2021 Annual Progress Report to HCD
The most recent Annual Progress Report (APR) was submitted to HCD in March 2022 to report
on housing activity in 2021 (Attachment 3). Table B of the report shows that the Town has not
yet met its fifth cycle RHNA requirements and the majority of the remaining units are in the very
low and low-income levels. The Town has successfully met and surpassed the above moderate-
income level units. The report indicates that existing policies which further facilitate affordable
housing for very low and low-income levels should be examined and potentially modified.
Draft Goals, Policies, and Implementation Programs
Attachment 4 provides the Draft Goals, Policies, and Implementation Programs portion of the
Housing Element in a reorganized form and includes the previous goal, policy, and action
numbers for reference.
1. Proposed Reorganization of Goals for Greater Clarity
The Town is responsible for enabling the production of housing by reducing regulatory
barriers, providing incentives, and supporting programs that create or preserve housing,
especially for vulnerable populations. In order to improve the Housing Element
communication and messaging, the following five potential goals are listed below for
consideration:
1) Facilitate Housing Construction;
2) Improve the Existing Housing Stock;
3) Provide New Affordable Housing;
4) Encourage Green Building and Energy Conservation; and
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DISCUSSION (continued):
5) Housing Needs and Resources.
The proposed goals represent a reorganization and reduction of the nine goals in the
existing 2015 to 2023 Housing Element. The goals, as proposed are concise and intended to
communicate the housing need. They are intended assist the HEAB in selecting appropriate
policies that target new housing construction, improve the quality of the existing housing
units, attract construction of new affordable units, and provide projects which utilize green
building and energy conservation.
The Implementation Programs are currently included within the document under the
related Goals and Policies, but will be compiled in a single table in the final document for
consistency with the Draft 2040 General Plan formatting.
2. Proposed Removal of Policies
The following policies were not included in Attachment 4 as they have been completed or are
no longer applicable.
• Action HOU-1.7;
• Action HOU-2.3;
• Action HOU-4.3;
• Action HOU-4.8;
• Policy HOU-5.2;
• Policy HOU-6.2;
• Action HOU-6.7;
• Action HOU-6.8;
• Action HOU-6.10;
• Policy HOU-7.2; and
• Policy HOU-8.1.
3. New Policy Language Considerations
The Draft 2040 General Plan includes policies to further encourage the construction of a
diversity of housing. The Draft 2040 General Plan contains policy interest related to:
1) Missing middle housing which includes housing types such as duplexes, triplexes,
fourplexes; courtyard apartments; cottage courts, townhomes; triplex stacked (vertical);
and live-work spaces; and
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DISCUSSION (continued):
2) The expansion of allowed housing types, including micro-units and/or tiny homes and
co-housing.
4. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH)
HCD also introduced major new policy areas for the sixth cycle Housing Element, primarily
related to AFFH. According to HCD’s AFFH Guidance Memo, AFFH is understood as
meaningful actions, in addition to combating discrimination that overcomes patterns of
segregation and fosters inclusive communities free from barriers. This policy area will also
complement the social justice policies in the Draft 2040 General Plan. Meaningful action
areas include:
1) Mobility Strategies;
2) New Housing Choices in Areas of Opportunity;
3) Place-Based Strategies;
4) Anti-Displacement Strategies; and
5) Fair Housing Outreach and Enforcement.
Root Policy, a subconsultant working as part of the Town’s Housing Element consultant
team is undertaking the AFFH analysis for the Town and will provide potential polices
targeted towards AFFH compliance when their analysis is completed in mid-June. Examples
of potential AFFH policies are included as examples in Attachment 4; however, a more
robust discussion of AFFH policies will be undertaken once more information becomes
available.
Outreach
In tandem, outreach to both the broader community and targeted underserved populations is
underway. Information gathered will be presented to the HEAB and will inform policy
development, particularly in the realm of AFFH, at a future meeting.
Policy Examples
While the primary goal of this review and update is to reduce the number of policies and focus
on those that are actionable, it is also valuable to consider whether there are important policy
areas missing from the current list. The Housing Policy Bot (PBot) is a resource to assist the
HEAB in finding policy language examples for topics of interest, if not already included in the
Draft Goals, Policies, and Implementation Programs document (Attachment 4).
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DISCUSSION (continued):
PBot is an excel worksheet tool that allows the user to customize searches for policy examples.
The PBot macros-enabled excel download is available at the following link:
https://citiesassociation.org/documents/pbot-housing-policy-bot/
This was developed by Baird + Driskell for San Mateo County and shared with Santa Clara
County jurisdictions. HEAB members may utilize this worksheet to familiarize themselves with
housing policy language. The goal of the policies and programs is to create a well-organized,
concise, and actionable list that is responsive to the understood housing needs within the
community. HCD does not reward jurisdictions with the longest list. Instead, HCD has guided
communities to concentrate policy lists unique to each jurisdiction. Metrics and milestones will
also need to be tied to policy implementation. The PBot excel worksheet tool can be used to
become familiar with specific policy language and the ability to suggest additional policy topics
that may be valuable to the Town.
Discussion and Direction
The following questions are provided to guide the HEAB in their discussion on the proposed
Goals, Actions, and Implementation Programs for the Housing Element:
1. What goals should be removed, added, or modified?
2. What policies should be removed, added, or modified?
3. What implementation programs should be removed, added, or modified?
Attachment 5 contains a letter from Silicon Valley At Home which was requested by a Council
Member to be included for additional information to the HEAB.
NEXT STEPS:
The next two HEAB meetings are scheduled for July 7, 2022, and July 21, 2022, for continued
review and discussion of the goals, policies, and implementation programs. The HEAB will also
begin work on the following:
1. Constraints Analysis, which evaluates private market and public sector conditions;
2. Focused discussion on public outreach to the broader community and to key critical groups;
3. AFFH, a new HCD requirement for the Housing Element; and
4. Review of the Public Review Draft Housing Element.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS:
At the time of this report’s preparation, the Town has not received any public comment.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Appendix Housing Needs Assessment
2. Draft Appendix Review of Previous Housing Element
3. 2021 Annual Progress Report to HCD
4. Draft Goals, Polices, and Implementation Programs
5. Letter from Silicon Valley At Home
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank
Appendix 2
Draft Appendix Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Appendix 2 Housing Needs Assessment
2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Population, Employment, and Household Characteristics .............................................................. 5
2.3 Housing Stock Characteristics………………………………………………………………………….. 24
2.4 Special Housing Needs .............................................................................................................. …41
Figures
Figure 2-1 Population Growth Trends ..................................................................................................... 6
Figure 2-2 Population by Age, 2000-2019 .............................................................................................. 7
Figure 2-3 Population Age by Race ........................................................................................................ 8
Figure 2-4 Population by Race, 2000-2019 ............................................................................................ 9
Figure 2-5 Jobs in a Jurisdiction ........................................................................................................... 10
Figure 2-6 Workers by Earnings, by Jurisdiction as Place of Work and Place of Residence ............... 11
Figure 2-7 Jobs-Worker Ratios, by Wage Group .................................................................................. 12
Figure 2-8 Jobs-Household Ratio ......................................................................................................... 13
Figure 2-9 Resident Employment by Industry ....................................................................................... 14
Figure 2-10 Unemployment Rate ............................................................................................................ 15
Figure 2-11 Households by Household Income Level ............................................................................ 16
Figure 2-12 Household Income Level by Tenure .................................................................................... 17
Figure 2-13 Poverty Status by Race ....................................................................................................... 18
Figure 2-14 Housing Tenure ................................................................................................................... 19
Figure 2-15 Housing Tenure by Race of Householder ........................................................................... 20
Figure 2-16 Housing Tenure by Age ....................................................................................................... 21
Figure 2-17 Housing Tenure by Housing Type ....................................................................................... 22
Figure 2-18 Households by Displacement Risk and Tenure ................................................................... 23
Figure 2-19 Housing Type Trends .......................................................................................................... 24
Figure 2-20 Housing Units by Year Structure Built ................................................................................. 25
Figure 2-21 Vacant Units by Type ........................................................................................................... 26
Figure 2-22 Substandard Housing Issues ............................................................................................... 29
Figure 2-23 Home Values of Owner-Occupied Units .............................................................................. 30
Figure 2-24 Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) ......................................................................................... 31
Figure 2-25 Contract Rents for Renter-Occupied Units .......................................................................... 32
Figure 2-26 Median Contract Rent .......................................................................................................... 33
ATTACHMENT 1
Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element
2-2 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element December 2021
Figure 2-27 Cost Burden by Tenure, Los Gatos ..................................................................................... 34
Figure 2-28 Cost Burden by Income Level, Los Gatos ........................................................................... 35
Figure 2-29 Cost Burden by Race, Los Gatos ........................................................................................ 36
Figure 2-30 Cost Burden by Household Size, Los Gatos ....................................................................... 37
Figure 2-31 Cost-Burdened Senior Households by Income Level, Los Gatos ....................................... 38
Figure 2-32 Overcrowding by Tenure and Severity ................................................................................ 39
Figure 2-33 Overcrowding by Income Level and Severity ...................................................................... 40
Figure 2-34 Overcrowding by Race ........................................................................................................ 41
Figure 2-35 Household Size by Tenure .................................................................................................. 42
Figure 2-36 Housing Units by Number of Bedrooms .............................................................................. 43
Figure 2-37 Household Type ................................................................................................................... 44
Figure 2-38 Female-Headed Households by Poverty Status .................................................................. 45
Figure 2-39 Senior Households by Income and Tenure ......................................................................... 46
Figure 2-40 Disability by Type ................................................................................................................. 47
Figure 2-41 Homelessness by Household Type and Shelter Status, Santa Clara County ..................... 49
Figure 2-42 Racial Group Share of General and Homeless Populations, Santa Clara County .............. 50
Figure 2-43 Latinx Share of General and Homeless Populations, Santa Clara County ......................... 51
Figure 2-44 Characteristics for the Population Experiencing Homelessness, Santa Clara County ....... 52
Figure 2-45 Farm Operations and Farm Labor, Santa Clara County ...................................................... 54
Figure 2-46 Population with Limited English Proficiency ........................................................................ 55
Tables
Table 2-1 Population Growth Trends ..................................................................................................... 5
Table 2-2 Housing Permits by Income Group, 2015 to 2020 ............................................................... 27
Table 2-3 Assisted Units at Potential Risk of Conversion .................................................................... 28
Table 2-4 Population with Developmental Disabilities by Age ............................................................. 48
Table 2-5 Population with Developmental Disabilities by Residence .................................................. 48
Table 2-6 Students in Local Public Schools Experiencing Homelessness .......................................... 53
Table 2-7 Migrant Worker Student Population ..................................................................................... 54
Table 2-8 Homeless Facilities Near Los Gatos .................................................................................... 56
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-3
Housing Needs Assessment
2.1 Introduction
This appendix of the Housing Element describes existing housing needs and conditions in the Town of Los Gatos.
The analysis in this section primarily utilizes data compiled by Association of Bay Area Governments /
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (ABAG/MTC) in the “Housing Needs Data Report: Los Gatos”
(ABAG/MTC, Baird + Driskell Community Planning, April 2, 2021). This data packet was approved by the
California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Overview of Bay Area Housing
The Bay Area continues to see growth in both population and jobs, which means more housing of various types
and sizes is needed to ensure that residents across all income levels, ages, and abilities have a place to call
home. While the number of people drawn to the region over the past 30 years has steadily increased, housing
production has stalled, contributing to the housing shortage that communities are experiencing today. In many
towns and cities, this has resulted in residents being priced out, increased traffic congestion caused by longer
commutes, and fewer people across incomes being able to purchase homes or meet surging rents.
The 2023-2031 Housing Element update provides a roadmap for how to meet growth and housing challenges. As
required by the State, the Housing Element identifies what the existing housing conditions and community needs
are, reiterates goals, and creates a plan for more housing. The Housing Element is an integral part of the
General Plan, which guides the policies of the Town of Los Gatos.
Summary of Key Facts
▪Population – Generally, the population of the Bay Area continues to grow because of new births and the
strong economy draws new residents to the region. The population of the Town of Los Gatos increased by
10 percent from 2000 to 2020, which is below the growth rate of the Bay Area.
▪Age – In 2019, the Town of Los Gatos’s youth population, under the age of 18, was 6,767 and the senior
population, 65 and older, was 6,393. These age groups represent 22.0 percent and 20.8 percent,
respectively, of the Town of Los Gatos population.
▪Race/Ethnicity – In 2020, 72.3 percent of the Town of Los Gatos population was White, while 0.9 percent
was African American, 14.8 percent was Asian, and 7.9 percent was Latinx. People of color in Los Gatos
comprise a proportion below the overall proportion in the Bay Area as a whole.1
▪Employment – The Town of Los Gatos residents most commonly work in the Financial and Professional
Services industry. From January 2010 to January 2021, the unemployment rate in the Town of Los Gatos
decreased by 2.9 percent. Since 2010, the number of jobs located in the jurisdiction increased by 4,440
(28.8 percent). Additionally, the jobs-household ratio in the Town of Los Gatos has increased from 1.32
jobs per household in 2002 to 1.59 in 2018.
1 The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey accounts for ethnic origin separate from racial identity. The numbers reported here use an accounting
of both such that the racial categories are shown exclusive of Latinx status, to allow for an accounting of the Latinx population regardless of racial identity.
The term Hispanic has historically been used to describe people from numerous Central American, South American, and Caribbean countries. In recent
years, the term Latino or Latinx has become preferred. This report generally uses Latinx, but occasionally when discussing US Census data, we use Hispanic
or Non-Hispanic, to clearly link to the data source.
Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element
2-4 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element December 2021
▪Number of Homes – The number of new homes built in the Bay Area has not kept pace with the demand,
resulting in longer commutes, increasing prices, and exacerbating issues of displacement and
homelessness. The number of homes in the Town of Los Gatos increased 4.5 percent from 2010 to 2020,
which is below the growth rate for Santa Clara County and below the growth rate of the region’s housing
stock during this time period.2
▪Home Prices – A diversity of homes at all income levels creates opportunities for all Los Gatos residents
to live and thrive in the community.
Ownership – The largest proportion of homes had a value in the range of $2M+ in 2019. Home prices
increased by 98.4 percent from 2010 to 2020.
Rental Prices – The typical contract rent for an apartment in the Town of Los Gatos was $2,270 in 2019.
Rental prices increased by 60.9 percent from 2009 to 2019. To rent a typical apartment without cost
burden, a household would need to make $90,960 per year. 3
▪Housing Type – It is important to have a variety of housing types to meet the needs of a community today
and in the future. In 2020, 59.6 percent of homes in the Town of Los Gatos were single -family detached,
13.0 percent were single-family attached, 9.0 percent were small multi-family (2-4 units), and 17.9 percent
were medium or large multi-family (5+ units). Between 2010 and 2020, the number of single-family units
increased more than multi-family units. Generally, in the Town of Los Gatos, the share of the housing
stock that is detached single-family homes is above that of other jurisdictions in the region.
▪Cost Burden – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development considers housing to be
affordable for a household if the household spends less than 30 percent of its income on housing costs. A
household is considered “cost-burdened” if it spends more than 30 percent of its monthly income on
housing costs, while those who spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing costs are
considered “severely cost-burdened.” In the Town of Los Gatos, 19.8 percent of households spend 30
percent to 50 percent of their income on housing, while 16.2 percent of households are severely cost
burdened and use the majority of their income for housing.
▪Displacement/Gentrification – According to research from the University of California, Berkeley, no
households in the Town of Los Gatos live in neighborhoods that are susceptible to or experiencing
displacement, and none live in areas at risk of or undergoing gentrification. All households in the Town of
Los Gatos live in neighborhoods where low-income households are likely excluded due to prohibitive
housing costs. There are various ways to address displacement including planning for new housing at all
income levels.
▪Neighborhood – All residents in the Town of Los Gatos live in neighborhoods identified as “Highest
Resource” or “High Resource” areas by State-commissioned research, while no residents live in areas
identified by this research as “Low Resource” or “High Segregation an d Poverty” areas. These
neighborhood designations are based on a range of indicators covering areas such as education, poverty,
proximity to jobs and economic opportunities, low pollution levels, and other factors.4
▪Special Housing Needs – Some population groups may have special housing needs that require specific
program responses, and these groups may experience barriers to accessing stable housing due to their
2 According to HCD Annual Progress Report Dashboard (as of September 20, 2021).
3 Note that contract rents may differ significantly from, and often being lower than, current listing prices.
4 For more information on the “opportunity area” categories developed by HCD and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, see this website:
https://www.treasurer.ca.gov/ctcac/opportunity.asp. The degree to which different jurisdictions and neighborhoods have access to opportunity will likely
need to be analyzed as part of new Housing Element requirements related to affirmatively furthering fair housing. ABAG/MTC will be providing
jurisdictions with technical assistance on this topic this summer, following the release of additional guidance from HCD.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-5
specific housing circumstances. In the Town of Los Gatos, 9.3 percent of residents have a di sability of
some kind (physical, developmental, etc.), and may require accessible housing. Additionally, 5.9 percent
of the Town of Los Gatos households are larger households with five or more people, who likely need
larger housing units with three bedrooms or more. 8.2 percent of households are female-headed families,
which are often at greater risk of housing insecurity.
2.2 Population, Employment, and Household Characteristics
Population
The Bay Area is the fifth-largest metropolitan area in the nation and has seen a steady increase in population
since 1990, except for a dip during the Great Recession. Many towns and cities in the region have experienced
significant growth in jobs and population. While these trends have led to a corresponding increase in demand for
housing across the region, the regional production of housing has largely not kept pace with job and population
growth.
According to the data, the population of the Town of Los Gatos was estimated to be 31,439 in 2020. The
population of the Town of Los Gatos makes up 1.6 percent of Santa Clara County.5 In the Town of Los Gatos,
roughly 13.5 percent of its population moved during the past year, a number that is roughly the same as the
regional rate of 13.4 percent. Table 2-1 shows population growth trends for the Town of Los Gatos, Santa Clara
County, and the Bay Area as a whole.
Table 2-1 Population Growth Trends
Geography 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Town of Los Gatos 27,357 28,751 28,592 28,872 29,413 30,807 31,439
Santa Clara Co. 1,497,577 1,594,818 1,682,585 1,752,696 1,781,642 1,912,180 1,961,969
Bay Area 6,020,147 6,381,961 6,784,348 7,073,912 7,150,739 7,595,694 7,790,537
SOURCE: California Department of Finance, E-5 series.
NOTE: Universe: Total population; Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table POPEMP -01.
Since 2000, the Town of Los Gatos population has increased by approximately 10 percent, which is below the
rate for the region as a whole, at 14.8 percent. From 1990 to 2000, the population increased by 4.5 percent.
During the first decade of the 2000s the population increased by 2.9 percent. In the most recent decade, the
population increased by 6.9 percent. Figure 2-1 shows population growth trends in percentages.
In 2019 the Town of Los Gatos annexed 24 urban islands totaling 116.1 acres. The islands were comprised of
approximately 308 single-family residences and the staff report assumed 2.2 persons per household for an
estimated increase in population of 678.
5 To compare the rate of growth across various geographic scales, Figure 2-1 shows population for the jurisdiction, county, and region indexed to the
population in the year 1990. This means that the data points represent the population growth (i.e., percent change) in each of these geographies relative
to their populations in 1990.
Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element
2-6 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element December 2021
Figure 2-1 Population Growth Trends
Source: California Department of Finance, E-5 series.
Note: The data shown on the graph represents population for the jurisdiction, county, and region indexed to the population in the first
year shown. The data points represent the relative population growth in each of these geographies relative to their populatio ns in that
year. For some jurisdictions, a break may appear at the end of each decade (1999, 2009) as estimates are compared to census counts. DOF
uses the decennial census to benchmark subsequent population estimates. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook,
Table POPEMP-01
Age
The distribution of age groups in a community shapes what types of housing the community may need in the near
future. An increase in the older population may mean there is a developing need for more senior housing options,
while higher numbers of children and young families can point to the need for more family housing options and
related services. There has also been a move by many to age-in-place or downsize to stay within their
communities, which can mean more multi-family and accessible units are also needed.
In the Town of Los Gatos, the median age in 2000 was approximately 41 years. By 2019, the median age
increased to approximately 47 years. The cohorts age 25-34 and age 35-44 decreased between 2000 and 2019,
while all age cohorts 55 and above increased during the same time period. Figure 2-2 shows population by age
for the years 2000, 2010, and 2019 for the Town of Los Gatos.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-7
Figure 2-2 Los Gatos Population by Age, 2000-2019
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 SF1, Table P12; U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2010 SF1, Table P12; U.S. Census Bureau, American
Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B01001. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table POPEMP-
04.
Note: Universe: Total population.
Looking at the senior and youth population by race can add an additional l ayer of understanding, as families and
seniors of color are even more likely to experience challenges finding affordable housing. People of color6 make
up 13.4 percent of seniors and 23.7 percent of youth under 18. Figure 2-3 shows population age by race for the
Town of Los Gatos.
6 Here, all non-white racial groups are counted.
Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element
2-8 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element December 2021
Figure 2-3 Los Gatos Population Age by Race
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B01001(A-G). Data from ABAG/MTC Housing
Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table SEN-02.
Notes: Universe: Total population. In the sources for this table, the Census Bureau does not disaggregate racial groups by Hispanic/Latinx
ethnicity, and an overlapping category of Hispanic / non-Hispanic groups has not been shown to avoid double counting in the stacked bar
chart.
Race and Ethnicity
Understanding the racial makeup of the Town and region is important for designing and implementing effective
housing policies and programs. These patterns are shaped by both market factors and government actions, such
as exclusionary zoning, discriminatory lending practices , and displacement that has occurred over time and
continues to impact communities of color today.7
Since 2000, the percentage of residents in the Town of Los Gatos identifying as White, Non-Hispanic has
decreased by 13.3 percentage points, with this 2019 population standing at 22,231. At the same time the
percentage of residents of all Other Race of Multiple Races, Non-Hispanic has increased. In absolute terms, the
Asian/API, Non-Hispanic population increased the most while the White, Non-Hispanic population decreased the
most. Figure 2-4 shows population for the Town of Los Gatos by race for 2000, 2010, and 2019.
7 See, for example, Rothstein, R. (2017). The color of law: a forgotten history of how our government segregated America. New York, NY & London, UK:
Liveright Publishing.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-9
Figure 2-4 Los Gatos Population by Race, 2000-2019
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000, Table P004; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table
B03002. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table POPEMP-02.
Notes: Universe: Total population. Data for 2019 represents 2015-2019 ACS estimates. The Census Bureau defines Hispanic/Latinx
ethnicity separate from racial categories. For the purposes of this graph, the “Hispanic or Latinx” racial/ethnic group represents those
who identify as having Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity and may also be members of any racial group. All other racial categories on this graph
represent those who identify with that racial category and do not identify with Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity.
Employment Trends
Balance of Jobs and Workers
A town or city houses employed residents who either work in the community where they live or work elsewhere in
the region. Conversely, a town or city may have job sites that employ residents from the same town or city, but
more often employ workers commuting from outside of it. Smaller towns and cities typically will have more
employed residents than jobs and export workers, while larger towns and cities tend to have a surplus of jobs and
import workers. To some extent the regional transportation system is set up for this flow of workers to the
region’s core job centers. At the same time, as the housing affordability crisis has illustrated, local imbalances
may be severe, where local jobs and worker populations are out of sync at a sub-regional scale. One measure of
this is the relationship between workers and jobs. A town or city with a surplus of workers “exports” workers to
other parts of the region, while a town or city with a surplus of jobs must conversely “import” them. Between 2002
and 2018, the number of jobs in the Town of Los Gatos increased by 23.8 percent. Figure 3-5 shows jobs in the
Town of Los Gatos between 2002 and 2018.
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Figure 2-5 Los Gatos Jobs in a Jurisdiction
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics, Workplace Area Characteristics (WAC) files, 2002-2018. Data
from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table POPEMP-11.
Notes: Universe: Jobs from unemployment insurance-covered employment (private, state and local government) plus United States Office
of Personnel Management-sourced Federal employment. The data is tabulated by place of work, regardless of where a worker lives. The
source data is provided at the census block level. These are cross walked to jurisdictions and summarized.
The figure below shows the balance when comparing jobs to workers, broken down by different wage groups,
offering additional insight into local dynamics. A community may offer employment for relatively low-income
workers, but have relatively few housing options for those workers . Conversely, it may house residents who are
low-wage workers, but offer few employment opportunities for them. Such relationships may cast extra light on
potentially pent-up demand for housing in particular price categories. A relative surplus of jobs relative to
residents in a given wage category suggests the need to import those workers, while conversely, surpluses of
workers mean the community will export those workers to other jurisdictions. Such flows are not inherently bad,
though over time, sub-regional imbalances may appear. The Town of Los Gatos has more jobs than residents in
wage categories below $75,000 per year. At the high end of the wage spectrum (i.e., wages over $75,000 per
year), the Town has more high-wage residents than high-wage jobs.8 Figure 2-6 shows workers by earnings,
place of residence, and place of work within the jurisdiction of the Town of Los Gatos.
8 The source table is top coded at $75,000, precluding more fine-grained analysis at the higher end of the wage spectrum.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-11
Figure 2-6 Workers by Earnings, by Los Gatos Jurisdiction as Place of Work and Place of Residence
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data 2015-2019, B08119, B08519. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs
Data Packet Workbook, Table POPEMP-10.
Notes: Universe: Los Gatos Workers 16 years and over with earnings.
The next diagram shows the ratio of jobs to workers, by wage group. A value of 1.00 means that the Town has
the same number of jobs in a wage group as it has resident workers, in principle, a balance. Values above 1.00
indicate a jurisdiction will need to import workers for jobs in a given wage group. Figure 2-7 shows jobs to worker
ratios for the Town Los Gatos.
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Figure 2-7 Los Gatos Jobs-Worker Ratios, By Wage Group
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics, Workplace Area Characteristics (WAC) files (Jobs); Residence
Area Characteristics (RAC) files (Employed Residents), 2010-2018. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table
POPEMP-14.
Notes: Universe: Jobs in a jurisdiction from unemployment insurance-covered employment (private, state and local government) plus
United States Office of Personnel Management-sourced Federal employment. The ratio compares job counts by wage group from two
tabulations of LEHD data: Counts by place of work relative to counts by place of residence. See text for details.
Such balances between jobs and workers may directly influence the housing demand in a community. New jobs
may draw new residents, and when there is high demand for housing relative to supply, many workers may be
unable to afford to live where they work, particularly where job growth has been in relatively lower wage jobs.
This dynamic not only means many workers will need to prepare for long commutes and time spent on the road,
but in the aggregate, it contributes to traffic congestion and time lost for all road users.
If there are more jobs than employed residents, it means a community is relatively jobs-rich, typically also with a
high jobs per employed resident ratio. Thus, bringing housing into the measure, the jobs per employed resident
ratio in the Town of Los Gatos has increased from 1.32 in 2002, to 1.59 jobs per employed resident in 2018. In
short, the Town of Los Gatos is a net importer of workers. Figure 2-8 shows the Town of Los Gatos jobs per
employed resident ratio.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-13
Figure 2-8 Jobs per Employed Resident Ratio for the Bay Area, Santa Clara County, and Los Gatos
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics, Workplace Area Characteristics (WAC) files (Jobs), 2002-2018;
California Department of Finance, E-5 (Households). Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table POPEMP-13.
Notes: Universe: Jobs in a jurisdiction from unemployment insurance-covered employment (private, state and local government) plus
United States Office of Personnel Management-sourced Federal employment; households in a jurisdiction. The data is tabulated by place
of work, regardless of where a worker lives. The source data is provided at the census block level. These are cross walked to jurisdictions
and summarized. The ratio compares place of work wage and salary jobs with households, or occupied housing units. A similar measure
is the ratio of jobs to housing units. However, this jobs-household ratio serves to compare the number of jobs in a jurisdiction to the
number of housing units that are actually occupied. The difference between a jurisdiction’s jobs-housing ratio and jobs-household ratio
will be most pronounced in jurisdictions with high vacancy rates, a high rate of units used for seasonal use, or a high rate of units used as
short-term rentals.
Sector Composition
In terms of sectoral composition, the largest industry in which the Town of Los Gatos residents work is Financial
and Professional Services, and the largest sector in which Santa Clara residents work is Health and Educational
Services. For the Bay Area as a whole, the Health and Educational Services industry employs the most workers.
Figure 2-9 shows resident employment by industry.
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Figure 2-9 Resident Employment by Industry
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table C24030. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs
Data Packet Workbook, Table POPEMP-06.
Notes: Universe: Civilian employed population age 16 years and over. The data displayed shows the industries in which jurisdiction
residents work, regardless of the location where those residents are employed (whether within the jurisdiction or not). Categories are
derived from the following source tables: Agriculture & Natural Resources: C24030_003E, C24030_030E; Construction: C24030_006E,
C24030_033E; Manufacturing, Wholesale & Transportation: C24030_007E, C24030_034E, C24030_008E, C24030_035E, C24030_010E,
C24030_037E; Retail: C24030_009E, C24030_036E; Information: C24030_013E, C24030_040E; Financial & Professional Services:
C24030_014E, C24030_041E, C24030_017E, C24030_044E; Health & Educational Services: C24030_021E, C24030_024E, C24030_048E,
C24030_051E; Other: C24030_027E, C24030_054E, C24030_028E, C24030_055E.
Unemployment
In the Town of Los Gatos, there was a 2.9 percentage point decrease in the unemployment rate between January
2010 and January 2021. Jurisdictions throughout the region experienced a sharp rise in unemployment in 2020
due to impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, though with a general improvement and recovery in the later
months of 2020. Figure 2-10 shows the unemployment rates over the last decade for the Town of Los Gatos,
Santa Clara County, and the Bay Area as a whole.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-15
Figure 2-10 Los Gatos Unemployment Rate
Source: California Employment Development Department, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), Sub-county areas monthly updates,
2010-2021. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table POPEMP-15.
Notes: Universe: Civilian noninstitutional population ages 16 and older. Unemployment rates for the jurisdiction level is derived from
larger-geography estimates. This method assumes that the rates of change in employment and unemployment are exactly the same in
each sub-county area as at the county level. If this assumption is not true for a specific sub-county area, then the estimates for that area
may not be representative of the current economic conditions. Since this assumption is untested, caution should be employed when using
these data. Only not seasonally-adjusted labor force (unemployment rates) data are developed for cities and CDPs.
Extremely Low-Income Households
Despite the economic and job growth experienced throughout the region since 1990, the income gap has
continued to widen. California is one of the most economically unequal states in the nation, and the Bay Area has
the highest income inequality between high- and low-income households in the state.9
In the Town of Los Gatos, 65 percent of households make more than 100 percent of the Area Median Income
(AMI)10, compared to 8.6 percent making less than 30 percent of AMI, which is considered extremely low-income.
Regionally, more than half of all households make more than 100 percent AMI, while 15 percent make less than
30 percent AMI. In Santa Clara County, 30 percent AMI is the equivalent to the annual income of $39,900 for a
family of four. Many households with multiple wage earners, including food service workers, full-time students,
teachers, farmworkers, and healthcare professionals, can fall into lower AMI categories due to relatively stagnant
wages in many industries. Figure 2-11 shows households by income level.
9 Bohn, S.et al. 2020. Income Inequality and Economic Opportunity in California. Public Policy Institute of California.
10 Income groups are based on HUD calculations for Area Median Income (AMI). HUD calculates the AMI for different metropolitan areas, and the nine
county Bay Area includes the following metropolitan areas: Napa Metro Area (Napa County), Oakland-Fremont Metro Area (Alameda and Contra Costa
Counties), San Francisco Metro Area (Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara Metro Area (Santa Clara County),
S1anta Rosa Metro
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Figure 2-11 Households by Household Income Level
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) ACS tabulation,
2012-2017 release. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table ELI-01.
Notes: Universe: Occupied housing units. Income groups are based on HUD calculations for Area Median Income (AMI). HUD calculates
the AMI for different metropolitan areas, and the nine county Bay Area includes the following metropolitan areas: Napa Metro Area
(Napa County), Oakland-Fremont Metro Area (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties), San Francisco Metro Area (Marin, San Francisco, and
San Mateo Counties), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara Metro Area (Santa Clara County), Santa Rosa Metro Area (Sonoma County), and
Vallejo-Fairfield Metro Area (Solano County). The AMI levels in this chart are based on the HUD metro area where this jurisdiction is
located. The data that is reported for the Bay Area is not based on a regional AMI but instead refers to the regional total of households in
an income group relative to the AMI for the county where that household is located. Local jurisdictions are required to provide an
estimate for their projected extremely low-income households (0-30 percent AMI) in their Housing Elements. HCD’s official Housing
Element guidance notes that jurisdictions can use their RHNA for very low-income households (those making 0-50 percent AMI) to
calculate their projected extremely low-income households. As Bay Area jurisdictions have not yet received their final RHNA numbers, this
document does not contain the required data point of projected extremely low -income households. The report portion of the housing data
needs packet contains more specific guidance for how local staff can calculate an estimate for projected extremely low -income households
once jurisdictions receive their 6th cycle RHNA numbers. AMI levels in this chart are based on the HUD metro area where this jurisdiction
is located. Households making between 80 and 120 percent of the AMI are moderate-income, those making 50 to 80 percent are low
income, those making 30 to 50 percent are very low-income, and those making less than 30 percent are extremely low-income. This is
then adjusted for household size.
Throughout the region, there are disparities between the incomes of homeowners and renters. Typically, the
number of low-income renters greatly outpaces the amount of housing available that is affordable for these
households. In the Town of Los Gatos, the largest proportion of renters falls in the Greater than 100 percent of
AMI group, while the largest proportion of homeowners are found in the Greater than 100 percent of AMI group.
Figure 2-12 shows household income by tenure.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-17
Figure 2-12 Los Gatos Household Income Level by Tenure
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) ACS tabulation,
2012-2017 release. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table POPEMP-21.
Notes: Universe: Occupied housing units. Income groups are based on HUD calculations for Area Median Income (AMI). HUD calculates
the AMI for different metropolitan areas, and the nine county Bay Area includes the following metropolitan areas: Napa Metro Area
(Napa County), Oakland-Fremont Metro Area (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties), San Francisco Metro Area (Marin, San Francisco, and
San Mateo Counties), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara Metro Area (Santa Clara County), Santa Rosa Metro Area (Sonoma County), and
Vallejo-Fairfield Metro Area (Solano County). The AMI levels in this chart are based on the HUD metro area where this jurisdiction is
located.
Currently, people of color are more likely to experience poverty and financial instability as a result of Federal,
State, and local housing policies that have historically excluded them from the same opportunities extended to
white residents.11 These economic disparities also leave communities of color at higher risk for housing
insecurity, displacement, or homelessness.
In the Town of Los Gatos, Hispanic or Latinx and Other Race or Multiple Races (Hispanic and Non-Hispanic)
residents experience the highest rates of poverty, followed by White (Hispanic and Non-Hispanic) residents.
Figure 2-13 shows poverty status by race.
11 Moore, E., Montojo, N. and Mauri, N., 2019. Roots, Race & Place: A History of Racially Exclusionary Housing the San Francisco Bay Area. Hass Institute.
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Figure 2-13 Los Gatos Poverty Status by Race
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B17001(A-I). Data from ABAG/MTC Housing
Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table ELI-03.
Notes: Universe: Population for whom poverty status is determined. The Census Bureau uses a federally defined poverty threshold that
remains constant throughout the country and does not correspond to Area Median Income. For this table, the Census Bureau does not
disaggregate racial groups by Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity. However, data for the white racial group is also reported for white householders
who are not Hispanic/Latinx. Since residents who identify as white and Hispanic/Latinx may have very different experiences within the
housing market and the economy from those who identify as white and non-Hispanic/Latinx, data for multiple white sub-groups are
reported here. The racial/ethnic groups reported in this table are not all mutually exclusive. Therefore, the data should not be summed as
the sum exceeds the population for whom poverty status is determined for this jurisdiction. However, all groups labelled “Hispanic and
Non-Hispanic” are mutually exclusive, and the sum of the data for these groups is equivalent to the population for whom poverty status is
determined.
Tenure
The number of residents who own their homes compared to those who rent their homes can help identify the level
of housing insecurity (i.e., ability for individuals to stay in their homes ) in a town or city and region. Generally,
renters may be displaced more quickly if prices increase.
In the Town of Los Gatos as of 2019, there are a total of 12,083 housing units, and fewer residents rent than own
their homes: 35.1 percent versus 64.9 percent. By comparison, 43.6 percent of households in Santa Clara
County are renters, while 43.9 percent of Bay Area households rent their homes. Figure 2-14 shows housing
tenure for Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, and the Bay Area as a whole.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-19
Figure 2-14 Housing Tenure
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B25003. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs
Data Packet Workbook, Table POPEMP-16.
Notes: Universe: Occupied housing units.
Homeownership rates often vary considerably across race/ethnicity in the Bay Area and throughout the country.
These disparities not only reflect differences in income and wealth, but also stem from Federal, State, and local
policies that limited access to homeownership for communities of color while facilitating homebuying for white
residents. While many of these policies, such as redlining, have been formally disbanded, the impacts of race -
based policy are still evident across Bay Area communities.12
In the Town of Los Gatos, 83.8 percent of Black households owned their homes, while homeownership rates were
72.3 percent for Asian households, 38.6 percent for Latinx households, and 64.6 percent for White households.
Notably, recent changes to State law require local jurisdictions to examine these dynamics and other fair housing
issues when updating their Housing Elements. Figure 2-15 shows housing tenure by the race of the householder.
12 See, for example, Rothstein, R. (2017). The color of law: a forgotten history of how our government segregated America. New York, NY & London, UK:
Liveright Publishing.
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Figure 2-15 Los Gatos Housing Tenure by Race of Householder
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B25003(A-I). Data from ABAG/MTC Housing
Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table POPEMP-20.
Notes: Universe: Occupied housing units. For this table, the Census Bureau does not disaggregate racial groups by Hispanic/Latinx
ethnicity. However, data for the white racial group is also reported for white householders who are not Hispanic/Latinx. Since residents
who identify as white and Hispanic/Latinx may have very different experiences within the housing market and the economy from those
who identify as white and non-Hispanic/Latinx, data for multiple white sub-groups are reported here. The racial/ethnic groups reported in
this table are not all mutually exclusive. Therefore, the data should not be summed as the sum exceeds the total number of occupied
housing units for this jurisdiction. However, all groups labelled “Hispanic and Non-Hispanic” are mutually exclusive, and the sum of the
data for these groups is equivalent to the total number of occupied housing units.
The age of residents who rent or own their home can also signal the housing challenges a community is
experiencing. Younger households tend to rent and may struggle to buy a first home in the Bay Area due to high
housing costs. At the same time, senior homeowners seeking to downsize may have limited options in an
expensive housing market.
In the Town of Los Gatos, 77.2 percent of householders between the ages of 25 and 34 are renters, and 36.4
percent of householders over 85 are renters. Figure 2-16 shows housing tenure by age.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-21
Figure 2-16 Los Gatos Housing Tenure by Age
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B25007. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs
Data Packet Workbook, Table POPEMP-18.
Notes: Universe: Occupied housing units.
In many towns and cities, homeownership rates for households in single-family homes are substantially higher
than the rates for households in multi-family housing. In the Town of Los Gatos, 86.2 percent of households in
detached single-family homes are homeowners, while 13.2 percent of households in multi-family housing are
homeowners. Figure 2-17 shows housing tenure by housing type.
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Figure 2-17 Los Gatos Housing Tenure by Housing Type
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B25032. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs
Data Packet Workbook, Table POPEMP-22.
Notes: Universe: Occupied housing units.
Displacement
Because of increasing housing prices, displacement is a major concern in the Bay Ar ea. Displacement has the
most severe impacts on low- and moderate-income residents. When individuals or families are forced to leave
their homes and communities, they also lose their support network.
The University of California, Berkeley, has mapped all neighborhoods in the Bay Area, identifying their risk for
gentrification. They find that in the Town of Los Gatos, there are no households that live in neighborhoods that
are susceptible to or experiencing displacement and none live in neighborhoods at risk of or undergoing
gentrification. Equally important, some neighborhoods in the Bay Area do not have housing appropriate for a
broad section of the workforce. The University of California, Berkeley, estimates that all households in the Town
of Los Gatos live in neighborhoods where low-income households are likely to be excluded due to prohibitive
housing costs.13 Figure 2-18 shows household displacement risk and tenure.
13 More information about this gentrification and displacement data is available at the Urban Displacement Project’s webpage:
https://www.urbandisplacement.org/. Specifically, one can learn more about the different gentrification/displacement typologies shown in Figure 18 at
this link: https://www.urbandisplacement.org/sites/default/files/typology_sheet_2018_0.png. Additionally, one can view maps that show which
typologies correspond to which parts of a jurisdiction here: https://www.urbandisplacement.org/san-francisco/sf-bay-area-gentrification-and-
displacement
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December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-23
Figure 2-18 Los Gatos Households by Displacement Risk and Tenure
Source: Urban Displacement Project for classification, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B25003 for tenure.
Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table POPEMP-25.
Notes: Universe: Households. Displacement data is available at the census tract level. Staff aggregated tracts up to jurisdiction level using
census 2010 population weights, assigning a tract to jurisdiction in proportion to block level population weights. Total household count
may differ slightly from counts in other tables sourced from jurisdiction level sources. Categories are combined as follows for simplicity:
At risk of or Experiencing Exclusion: At Risk of Becoming Exclusive; Becoming Exclusive; Stable/Advanced Exclusive At risk of or
Experiencing Gentrification: At Risk of Gentrification; Early/Ongoing Gentrification; Advanced Gentrification Stable Moderate/Mixed
Income: Stable Moderate/Mixed Income Susceptible to or Experiencing Displacement: Low-Income/Susceptible to Displacement; Ongoing
Displacement Other: High Student Population; Unavailable or Unreliable Data.
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2.3 Housing Stock Characteristics
Housing Types, Year Built, Vacancy, and Permits
In recent years, most housing produced in the region and across the State consisted of single -family homes and
larger multi-unit buildings. However, some households are increasingly interested in “missing middle housing,”
including duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, cottage clusters, and accessory dwelling units. These housing types
may open up more options across incomes and tenure, from young households see king homeownership options
to seniors looking to downsize and age-in-place.
The housing stock of the Town of Los Gatos in 2020 was made up of 59.6 percent Single-Family Home:
Detached, 13.0 percent Single-Family Home: Attached, 9.0 percent Multifamily Housing: Two to Four Units, 17.9
percent Multifamily Housing: Five-Plus Units, and 0.5 percent Mobile Homes. In Los Gatos, the housing type that
experienced the most growth between 2010 and 2020 was Single-Family Home: Detached. Figure 2-19 shows
housing type trends in Los Gatos for 2010 and 2020.
Figure 2-19 Los Gatos Housing Type Trends
SOURCE: California Department of Finance, E-5 series. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table HSG-01.
NOTE: Universe: Housing units.
Production has not kept up with housing demand for several decades in the Bay Area, as the total number of units
built and available has not yet come close to meeting the population and job growth experienced throughout the
region. In the Town of Los Gatos, the largest proportion of the housing stock was Built 1960 to 1979, with 6,630
units constructed during this period. Since 2010, 2.6 percent of the cur rent housing stock was built, which is 342
units (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B25034). Figure 2-20
shows housing units by the year built.
59.6%
13.0%
9.0%
17.9%
0.5%
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December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-25
Figure 2-20 Los Gatos Housing Units by Year Structure Built
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B25034. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs
Data Packet Workbook, Table HSG-04.
NOTE: Universe: Housing units.
Throughout the Bay Area, vacancies make up 2.6 percent of the total housing units, with homes listed for rent ,
units used for Recreational or Occasional Use, and units not otherwise classified (Other Vacant) making up the
majority of vacancies. The Census Bureau classifies a unit as vacant if no one is occupying it when census
interviewers are conducting the American Community Survey or Decennial Census. Vacant units classified as
For Recreational or Occasional Use are those that are held for short-term periods of use throughout the year.
Accordingly, vacation rentals and short-term rentals like AirBnB are likely to fall in this category. The Census
Bureau classifies units as Other Vacant if they are vacant due to foreclosure, personal/family reasons, legal
proceedings, repairs/renovations, abandonment, preparation for being rented or sold, or vacant for an extended
absence for reasons such as a work assignment, military duty, or incarceration.14 In a region with a thriving
economy and housing market like the Bay Area, units being renovated/repaired and prepared for rental or sale
are likely to represent a large portion of the Other Vacant category. Additionally, the need for seismic retrofitting
in older housing stock could also influence the proportion of Other Vacant units in some jurisdictions.15
Vacant units make up 7.5 percent of the overall housing stock in the Town of Los Gatos. The rental vacancy
stands at 8.2 percent, while the ownership vacancy rate is 0.4 percent. Of the vacant units in the Town of Los
Gatos, the most common type of vacancy is Other Vacant, which represents almost half of all vacant rental
units.16 Figure 2-21 shows vacant units by type.
14 For more information, see pages 3 through 6 of this list of definitions prepared by the Census Bureau:
https://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/definitions.pdf.
15 See Dow, P. (2018). Unpacking the Growth in San Francisco’s Vacant Housing Stock: Client Report for the San Francisco Planning Department. University
of California, Berkeley.
16 The vacancy-rates-by-tenure is for a smaller universe than the total vacancy rate first reported, which in principle includes the full stock (7.5 percent).
The vacancy by tenure counts are rates relative to the rental stock (occupied and vacant) and ownership stock (occupied and vacant) but exclude a
significant number of vacancy categories, including the numerically significant other vacant.
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Figure 2-21 Los Gatos Vacant Units by Type
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B25004. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs
Data Packet Workbook, Table HSG-03.
NOTE: Universe: Vacant housing units.
Between 2015 and 2020, 279 housing units were issued building permits in the Town of Los Gatos. Of those,
approximately 53.5 percent were for above moderate-income housing, approximately 28.5 percent were for
moderate-income housing, and approximately 1.0 percent were for low-income, and approximately 17.0 percent
were for very low-income housing. Table 2-2 shows residential building permits issued by the Town of Los Gatos
by income group.
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December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-27
Table 2-2 Los Gatos, Residential Building Permits by Income Group, 2015 to 2020
Income Group Number Percent
Very Low-Income Permits 49 17.0%
Low-Income Permits 3 1.0%
Moderate-Income Permits 81 28.5%
Above Moderate-Income Permits 146 53.5%
Total 279 100.0%
SOURCE: California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), 5th Cycle Annual Progress Report Permit Summary
(2020). Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table HSG-11.
NOTE: Universe: Housing permits issued between 2015 and 2021. Notes: HCD uses the following definitions for the four income categories:
Very Low Income: units affordable to households making less than 50 percent of the Area Median Income for the county in which the
jurisdiction is located. Low Income: units affordable to households making between 50 percent and 80 percent of the Area Median Income
for the county in which the jurisdiction is located. Moderate Income: units affordable to households making between 80 percent and 120
percent of the Area Median Income for the county in which the jurisdiction is located. Above Moderate Income: units affordable to
households making above 120 percent of the Area Median Income for the county in which the jurisdiction is located.
Assisted Housing Developments At-Risk of Conversion
While there is an immense need to produce new affordable housing units, ensuring that the existing affordable
housing stock remains affordable is equally important. Additionally, it is typically faster and less ex pensive to
preserve currently affordable units that are at risk of converting to market-rate than it is to build new affordable
housing.
The data in the table below comes from the California Housing Partnership’s Preservation Database, the State’s
most comprehensive source of information on subsidized affordable housing at risk of losing its affordable status
and converting to market-rate housing.17 According to the data, there are 169 assisted units in the Town of Los
Gatos. Of these units, none were at high risk or very high risk of conversion. Table 2 -3 summarizes assisted
units at risk in the Town of Los Gatos.
17 This database does not include all deed-restricted affordable units in the state, so there may be at-risk assisted units in a jurisdiction that are not
captured in this data table.
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Table 2-3 Assisted Units at Potential Risk of Conversion
Income Los Gatos Santa Clara County Bay Area
Low-Income Units 169 28,001 110,177
Moderate-Income Units 0 1,471 3,375
High-Income Units 0 422 1,854
Very High-Income Units 0 270 1,053
Total 169 30,164 116,459
SOURCE: California Housing Partnership, Preservation Database (2020). Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook,
Table RISK01.
NOTE: Universe: HUD, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), USDA, and CalHFA projects. Subsidized or assisted developments that do
not have one of the aforementioned financing sources may not be included. While California Housing Partnership’s Preservation Database
is the state’s most comprehensive source of information on subsidized affordable housing at risk of losing its affordable status and
converting to market-rate housing, this database does not include all deed-restricted affordable units in the state. Consequently, there
may be at-risk assisted units in a jurisdiction that are not captured in this data table. Per HCD guidance, local jurisdictions must also list
the specific affordable housing developments at-risk of converting to market rate uses. This document provides aggregate numbers of at
risk units for each jurisdiction, but local planning staff should contact Danielle Mazzella with the California Housing Partnership at
dmazzella@chpc.net to obtain a list of affordable properties that fall under this designation. California Housing Partnership uses the
following categories for assisted housing developments in its database: Very-High Risk: affordable homes that are at-risk of converting to
market rate within the next year that do not have a known overlapping subsidy that would extend affordability and are not owned by a
large/stable non-profit, mission-driven developer. High Risk: affordable homes that are at-risk of converting to market rate in the next 1-5
years that do not have a known overlapping subsidy that would extend affordability and are not owned by a large/stable non-profit,
mission-driven developer. Moderate Risk: affordable homes that are at-risk of converting to market rate in the next 5-10 years that do
not have a known overlapping subsidy that would extend affordability and are not owned by a large/stable non-profit, mission-driven
developer. Low Risk: affordable homes that are at-risk of converting to market rate in 10+ years and/or are owned by a large/stable non -
profit, mission-driven developer.
Substandard Housing
Housing costs in the region are among the highest in the country, which could result in households, particularly
renters, needing to live in substandard conditions in order to afford housing. Generally, there is limited data on
the extent of substandard housing issues in a community. However, the Census Bureau data included in the
graph below gives a sense of some of the substandard conditions that may be present in Los Gatos. For
example, 4.1 percent of renters in Los Gatos reported lacking a kitchen and 1.4 percent of renters lack plumbing,
compared to 0.4 percent of owners who lack a kitchen and 0.6 percent of owners who lack plumbing. Figure 2-22
shows substandard housing issues in Los Gatos.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-29
Figure 2-22 Los Gatos Substandard Housing Issues
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B25053, Table B25043, Table B25049 Data
from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table HSG-06.
NOTES: Universe: Occupied housing units. Per HCD guidance, this data should be supplemented by local estimates of units needing to be
rehabilitated or replaced based on recent windshield surveys, local building department data, knowledgeable builders/developers in the
community, or nonprofit housing developers or organizations.
Home and Rent Values
Home prices reflect a complex mix of supply and demand factors, including an area’s demographic profile, labor
market, prevailing wages, and job outlook, coupled with land and construction costs. In the Bay Area, the costs of
housing have long been among the highest in the nation.
The typical home value in Los Gatos was estimated at $2,109,040 in December of 2020, per data from Zillow.
The largest proportion of homes were valued in excess of $2 million. By comparison, the typical home value is
$1,290,970 in Santa Clara County and $1,077,230 in the Bay Area, with the largest share of units valued $1
million to $1.5 million (county) and $500 thousand to $750 thousand (region). Figure 2-23 shows home values of
owner-occupied housing units in Los Gatos.
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Figure 2-23 Home Values of Owner-Occupied Units
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B25075. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs
Data Packet Workbook, Table HSG-07.
NOTE: Universe: Owner-occupied units.
The region’s home values have increased steadily since 2000, besides a decrease during the Great Recession.
The rise in home prices has been especially steep since 2012, with the median home value in the Bay Area
nearly doubling during this time. Since 2001, the typical home value has increased 164.0 percent in Los Gatos
from $798,770 to $2,109,040. This change is considerably greater than the change in Santa Clara County and for
the region as a whole. Figure 2-24 shows Zillow home value index for Los Gatos.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-31
Figure 2-24 Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)
SOURCE: Zillow, Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI). Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table HSG-08.
NOTES: Universe: Owner-occupied housing units. Zillow describes the ZHVI as a smoothed, seasonally adjusted measure of the typical
home value and market changes across a given region and housing type. The ZHVI reflects the typical value for homes in the 35th to 65th
percentile range. The ZHVI includes all owner-occupied housing units, including both single-family homes and condominiums. More
information on the ZHVI is available from Zillow. The regional estimate is a household-weighted average of county-level ZHVI files, where
household counts are yearly estimates from DOF’s E-5 series For unincorporated areas, the value is a population weighted average of
unincorporated communities in the county matched to census-designated population counts.
Similar to home values, rents have also increased dramatically across the Bay Area in recent years. Many
renters have been priced out, evicted, or displaced, particularly communities of color. Residents finding
themselves in one of these situations may have had to choose between commuting long distances to their jobs
and schools or moving out of the region, and sometimes, out of the State.
In Los Gatos, the largest proportion of rental units rented in the Rent $2,000-$2,500 category, totaling 24.2
percent, followed by 23.7 percent of units renting in the Rent $3,000 or More category. Looking beyond the Town,
the largest share of units in Santa Clara County is in the Rent $2,000-$2,500 category, compared to the Rent
$1,500-$2,000 category for the Bay Area as a whole. Figure 2-25 shows contract rents for renter-occupied units
in Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, and the Bay Area as a whole.
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Figure 2-25 Contract Rents for Renter-Occupied Units
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B25056. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing
Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table HSG-09.
NOTE: Universe: Renter-occupied housing units paying cash rent.
Since 2009, the median rent has increased by 33.5 percent in the Town of Los Gatos, from $1,700 to $2,270 per
month. In Santa Clara County, the median rent has increased 39.6 percent, from $1,540 to $2,150. The median
rent in the region has increased significantly during this time from $1,200 to $1,850, a 54.2 percent increase.18
Figure 2-25 shows median contract rent in the Town of Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, and the Bay Area as a
whole.
18 While the data on home values shown in Figure 2-24 comes from Zillow, Zillow does not have data on rent prices available for most Bay Area
jurisdictions. To have a more comprehensive dataset on rental data for the region, the rent data in this document comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s
American Community Survey, which may not fully reflect current rents. Local jurisdiction staff may want to supplement the data on rents with local realtor
data or other sources for rent data that are more current than Census Bureau data.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-33
Figure 2-26 Median Contract Rent
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data releases, starting with 2005-2009 through 2015-2019, B25058,
B25056 (for unincorporated areas). County and regional counts are weighted averages of jurisdiction median using B25003 re ntal unit
counts from the relevant year. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table HSG-10.
NOTES: Universe: Renter-occupied housing units paying cash rent. For unincorporated areas, median is calculated using distribution in
B25056.
Overpayment and Overcrowding
A household is considered “cost-burdened” if it spends more than 30 percent of its monthly income on housing
costs, while those who spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing costs are considered “severely
cost-burdened.” Low-income residents are the most impacted by high housing costs and experience the highest
rates of cost burden. Spending such large portions of their income on housing puts low-income households at
higher risk of displacement, eviction, or homelessness. While the housing market has resulted in home prices
increasing dramatically, homeowners often have mortgages with fixed rates, whereas renters are more likely to be
impacted by market increases.
When looking at the cost burden across tenure in the Town of Los Gatos, 19.8 percent of renters spend 30
percent to 50 percent of their income on housing compared to 16.2 percent of those that own. Additionally, 22.2
percent of renters are severely cost-burdened (i.e., spend 50 percent or more of their income on housing), while
12.1 percent of owners are severely cost-burdened. Figure 2-27 shows cost burden by tenure.
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Figure 2-27 Cost Burden by Tenure, Los Gatos
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B25070, B25091. Data from ABAG/MTC
Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table OVER-06.
NOTES: Universe: Occupied housing units. Cost burden is the ratio of housing costs to household income. For renters, housing cost is
gross rent (contract rent plus utilities). For owners, housing cost is “select monthly owner costs”, which includes mortgage payment,
utilities, association fees, insurance, and real estate taxes. HUD defines cost-burdened households as those whose monthly housing costs
exceed 30 percent of monthly income, while severely cost-burdened households are those whose monthly housing costs exceed 50
percent of monthly income.
When one looks at both renters and owners together in the Town of Los Gatos, 15.6 percent of households spend
50 percent or more of their income on housing, while 17.5 percent spend 30 percent to 50 percent. However,
these rates vary greatly across income categories. For example, 78.3 percent of Los Gatos households making
less than 30 percent of AMI spend the majority of their income on housing. For Los Gatos residents making more
than 100 percent of AMI, just 3.7 percent are severely cost-burdened, and 83.9 percent of those making more
than 100 percent of AMI spend less than 30 percent of their income on housing. Figure 2-28 shows cost burden
by income level.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-35
Figure 2-28 Cost Burden by Income Level, Los Gatos
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) ACS
tabulation, 2012-2017 release. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table OVER-05.
NOTES: Universe: Occupied housing units. Cost burden is the ratio of housing costs to household income. For renters, housing cost is gross
rent (contract rent plus utilities). For owners, housing cost is “select monthly owner costs”, which includes mortgage payment, utilities,
association fees, insurance, and real estate taxes. HUD defines cost-burdened households as those whose monthly housing costs exceed
30 percent of monthly income, while severely cost-burdened households are those whose monthly housing costs exceed 50 percent of
monthly income. Income groups are based on HUD calculations for Area Median Income (AMI). HUD calculates the AMI for different
metropolitan areas, and the nine county Bay Area includes the following metropolitan areas: Napa Metro Area (Napa County), Oa kland
Fremont Metro Area (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties), San Francisco Metro Area (Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties),
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara Metro Area (Santa Clara County), Santa Rosa Metro Area (Sonoma County), and Vallejo -Fairfield Metro
Area (Solano County). The AMI levels in this chart are based on the HUD metro area where this jurisdiction is located.
Currently, people of color19 are more likely to experience poverty and financial instability as a result of Federal,
State, and local housing policies that have historically excluded them from the same opportunities extended to
white residents. As a result, they often pay a greater percentage of their income on housing, and in turn, are at a
greater risk of housing insecurity.
Hispanic or Latinx residents are the most severely cost burdened with 22.2 percent spending more than 50
percent of their income on housing. Figure 2-29 shows cost burden by race.
19 As before, this category as it is used here includes all non-White persons.
3.7%
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Figure 2-29 Cost Burden by Race, Los Gatos
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) ACS
tabulation, 2012-2017 release. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table OVER-08.
NOTES: Universe: Occupied housing units. Cost burden is the ratio of housing costs to household income. For renters, housing cost is gross
rent (contract rent plus utilities). For owners, housing cost is “select monthly owner costs”, which includes mortgage payment, utilities,
association fees, insurance, and real estate taxes. HUD defines cost-burdened households as those whose monthly housing costs exceed
30 percent of monthly income, while severely cost-burdened households are those whose monthly housing costs exceed 50 percent of
monthly income. For the purposes of this graph, the “Hispanic or Latinx” racial/ethnic group represents those who identify as having
Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity and may also be members of any racial group. All other racial categories on this graph represent those who
identify with that racial category and do not identify with Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity.
Large family households often have special housing needs due to a lack of adequately sized affordable housing
available. The higher costs required for homes with multiple bedrooms ca n result in larger families experiencing a
disproportionate cost burden than the rest of the population and can increase the risk of housing insecurity.
In the Town of Los Gatos, 12.2 percent of large family households experience a cost burden of 30 to 50 percent,
while 9.6 percent of households spend more than half of their income on housing. Some 17.8 percent of all other
households have a cost burden of 30 percent to 50 percent, with 16.8 percent of households spending more than
50 percent of their income on housing. Figure 2-30 shows cost burden by household size.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-37
Figure 2-30 Cost Burden by Household Size, Los Gaots
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) ACS
tabulation, 2012-2017 release. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table OVER-09.
NOTES: Universe: Occupied housing units. Cost burden is the ratio of housing costs to household income. For renter s, housing cost is gross
rent (contract rent plus utilities). For owners, housing cost is “select monthly owner costs”, which includes mortgage payment, utilities,
association fees, insurance, and real estate taxes. HUD defines cost-burdened households as those whose monthly housing costs exceed
30 percent of monthly income, while severely cost-burdened households are those whose monthly housing costs exceed 50 percent of
monthly income.
When cost-burdened seniors are no longer able to make house payment s or pay rents, displacement from their
homes can occur, putting further stress on the local rental market or forcing residents out of the community they
call home. Understanding how seniors might be cost-burdened is of particular importance due to their special
housing needs, particularly for low-income seniors.
In the Town of Los Gatos, 74.1 percent of seniors making less than 30 percent of AMI are spending the majority
of their income on housing. For seniors making more than 100 percent of AMI, only 4.3 percent are spending the
majority of their income on housing. Figure 2-31 shows cost-burdened senior households by income level.
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Figure 2-31 Cost-Burdened Senior Households by Income Level, Los Gatos
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) ACS
tabulation, 2012-2017 release. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table SEN-03.
NOTES: Universe: Senior households. For the purposes of this graph, senior households are those with a householder who is age d 62 or
older. Cost burden is the ratio of housing costs to household income. For renters, housing cost is gross rent (contract rent plus utilities).
For owners, housing cost is “select monthly owner costs”, which includes mortgage payment, utilities, association fees, insur ance, and real
estate taxes. HUD defines cost-burdened households as those whose monthly housing costs exceed 30 percent of monthly income, while
severely cost-burdened households are those whose monthly housing costs exceed 50 percent of monthly income. Income groups are
based on HUD calculations for Area Median Income (AMI). HUD calculates the AMI for different metropolitan areas, and the nine county
Bay Area includes the following metropolitan areas: Napa Metro Area (Napa County), Oakland -Fremont Metro Area (Alameda and Contra
Costa Counties), San Francisco Metro Area (Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara Metro Area
(Santa Clara County), Santa Rosa Metro Area (Sonoma County), and Vallejo -Fairfield Metro Area (Solano County). The AMI levels in this
chart are based on the HUD metro area where this jurisdiction is located.
Overcrowding occurs when the number of people living in a household is greater than the home was designed to
hold.20 The Census Bureau considers units with more than 1.5 occupants per room to be severely overcrowded.
Overcrowding is often related to the cost of housing and can occur when demand in a town, city, or region is high.
In many towns and cities, overcrowding is seen more amongst those that are renting, with multiple households
sharing a unit to make it possible to stay in their communities. In the Town of Los Gatos, 4.3 percent of
households that rent are severely overcrowded (i.e., more than 1.5 occupants p er room), compared to 0.3 percent
of households that own. Figure 2-32 shows overcrowding by tenure and severity.
20 There are several different standards for defining overcrowding, but this report uses the Census Bureau definition, which is more than one occupant per
room (not including bathrooms or kitchens).
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-39
Figure 2-32 Los Gatos Overcrowding by Tenure and Severity
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) ACS
tabulation, 2012-2017 release. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table OVER-01.
NOTES: Universe: Occupied housing units. The Census Bureau defines an overcrowded unit as one occupied by 1.01 persons or more per
room (excluding bathrooms and kitchens), and units with more than 1.5 persons per room are considered severely overcrowded.
Overcrowding often disproportionately impacts low-income households. In Los Gatos, less than one percent of
very low-income households (i.e., below 50 percent AMI) experience severe overcrowding. The income group
most experiencing severe overcrowding is the 81%-100% of AMI group. Figure 2-33 shows overcrowding by
income level and severity.
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2-40 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element December 2021
Figure 2-33 Los Gatos Overcrowding by Income Level and Severity
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) ACS
tabulation, 2012-2017 release. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table OVER-04.
NOTES: Universe: Occupied housing units. The Census Bureau defines an overcrowded unit as one occupied by 1.01 persons or more per
room (excluding bathrooms and kitchens), and units with more than 1.5 persons per room are considered severely overcrowded. I ncome
groups are based on HUD calculations for Area Median Income (AMI). HUD calculates the AMI for different metropolitan areas, and the
nine county Bay Area includes the following metropolitan areas: Napa Metro Area (Napa County), Oakland -Fremont Metro Area (Alameda
and Contra Costa Counties), San Francisco Metro Area (Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara
Metro Area (Santa Clara County), Santa Rosa Metro Area (Sonoma County), and Vallejo -Fairfield Metro Area (Solano County). The AMI
levels in this chart are based on the HUD metro area where this jurisdiction is located.
Communities of color are more likely to experience overcrowding similar to how they are more likely to experience
poverty, financial instability, and housing insecurity. People of color tend to experience overcrowding at higher
rates than White residents. In Los Gatos, the racial group with the largest overcrowding rate is Hispanic or Latinx.
Figure 2-34 shows overcrowding by race.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-41
Figure 2-34 Overcrowding by Race, Los Gatos
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B25014. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing
Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table OVER-03.
NOTES: Universe: Occupied housing units. The Census Bureau defines an overcrowded unit as one occupied by 1.01 persons or mor e per
room (excluding bathrooms and kitchens), and units with more than 1.5 persons per room are considered severely overcrowded. F or this
table, the Census Bureau does not disaggregate racial groups by Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity. However, data for the white racial group is
also reported for white householders who are not Hispanic/Latinx. Since residents who identify as white and Hispanic/Latinx may have
very different experiences within the housing market and the economy from those who identify as white and non-Hispanic/Latinx, data for
multiple white sub-groups are reported here. The racial/ethnic groups reported in this table are not all mutually exclusive. Therefore, the
data should not be summed as the sum exceeds the total number of occupied housing units for this jurisdiction. However, all groups
labelled “Hispanic and Non-Hispanic” are mutually exclusive, and the sum of the data for these groups is equivalent to the total number of
occupied housing units.
2.4 Special Housing Needs
Large Households
Large households often have different housing needs than smaller households. If the Town’s rental housing stock
does not include larger apartments, large households who rent could end up living in overcrowded conditions.
In Los Gatos, for large households with five or more persons, most units were owner occupied. Figure 2-35
shows household size by tenure.
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Figure 2-35 Household Size by Tenure, Los Gatos
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B25009. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs
Data Packet Workbook, Table LGFEM-01.
NOTE: Universe: Occupied housing units.
The unit sizes available in a community affect the household sizes that can access that community. Large
families are generally served by housing units with three or more bedrooms, of which there are 7,760 units in the
Town of Los Gatos. Among these large units, most are owner occupied. Figure 236 summarizes housing units
by the number of bedrooms.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-43
Figure 2-36 Housing Units by Number of Bedrooms, Los Gatos
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B25042. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs
Data Packet Workbook, Table HSG-05.
NOTE: Universe: Housing units.
Female-Headed Households
Households headed by one person are often at greater risk of housing insecurity, particularly female-headed
households, who may be supporting children or a family with only one income.
In the Town of Los Gatos, the largest proportion of households is Married-Couple Family Households at 58.1
percent of the total, while Female-Headed Family Households make up 8.2 percent of all households. Figure 2-
37 provides information on household type in Los Gatos.
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Figure 2-37 Household Type
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B11001. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs
Data Packet Workbook, Table POPEMP-23.
NOTES: Universe: Households. For data from the Census Bureau, a “family household” is a household where two or more people are
related by birth, marriage, or adoption. “Non-family households” are households of one person living alone, as well as households where
none of the people are related to each other.
Female-headed households with children may face particular housing c hallenges, with pervasive gender
inequality resulting in lower wages for women. Moreover, the added need for childcare can make finding a home
that is affordable more challenging.
In Los Gatos, 36 female-headed households with children (8.1 percent) fell in the Below Poverty Level category,
while 26 female-headed households without children (4.7 percent) fell in the Below Poverty Level category.
Figure 2-38 shows female-headed households by poverty status.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-45
Figure 2-38 Female-Headed Households by Poverty Status, Los Gatos
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B17012. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs
Data Packet Workbook, Table LGFEM-05.
NOTES: Universe: Female Households. The Census Bureau uses a federally defined poverty threshold that remains constant throughout the
country and does not correspond to Area Median Income.
Seniors
Senior households often experience a combination of factors that can make accessing or keeping affordable
housing a challenge. They often live on fixed incomes and are more likely to have disabilities, chronic health
conditions, and/or reduced mobility. Seniors who rent may be at even greater risk for housing challenges than
those who own, due to income differences between these groups.
In the Town of Los Gatos, the largest proportion of senior households who rent fell into one of the categories
below the Greater than 100% AMI category, while the largest proportion of senior households who are
homeowners fell in the Greater than 100% AMI category. Figure 2-39 shows senior households by income and
tenure.
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Figure 2-39 Senior Households by Income and Tenure, Los Gatos
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) ACS
tabulation, 2012-2017 release. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table SEN-01.
NOTES: Universe: Senior households. For the purposes of this graph, senior households are those with a householder who is aged 62 or
older. Income groups are based on HUD calculations for Area Median Income (AMI). HUD calculates the AMI for different metropolitan
areas, and the nine county Bay Area includes the following metropolitan areas: Napa Metro Area (Napa County), Oakland-Fremont Metro
Area (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties), San Francisco Metro Area (Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties), San Jose
Sunnyvale-Santa Clara Metro Area (Santa Clara County), Santa Rosa Metro Area (Sonoma County), and Vallejo-Fairfield Metro Area
(Solano County). The AMI levels in this chart are based on the HUD metro area where this jurisdiction is located.
People with Disabilities
People with disabilities face additional housing challenges. Encompassing a broad group of individuals living with
a variety of physical, cognitive, and sensory impairments, many people with disabilities live on fixed incomes and
are in need of specialized care, yet often rely on family members for assistance due to the high cost of care.
When it comes to housing, people with disabilities are not only in need of affordable housing , but accessibly
designed housing, which offers greater mobility and opportunity for independence. Unfortunately, the need
typically outweighs what is available, particularly in a housing market with such high demand. People with
disabilities are at a high risk for housing insecurity, homelessness, and institutionalization, particularly when they
lose aging caregivers.
Overall, 9.3 percent of people in Los Gatos have a disability of some kind.21 Figure 2-40 shows the rates at which
different disabilities are present among residents of Los Gatos.
21 These disabilities are counted separately and are not mutually exclusive, as an individual may report more than one disability. These counts should not
be summed.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-47
Figure 2-40 Disability by Type, Los Gatos
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B18102, Table B18103, Table B18104, Table
B18105, Table B18106, Table B18107. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table DISAB-01.
NOTES: Universe: Civilian noninstitutionalized population 18 years and over. These disabilities are counted separately and are not
mutually exclusive, as an individual may report more than one disability. These counts should not be summed. The Census Bureau
provides the following definitions for these disability types: Hearing difficulty: deaf or has serious difficulty hearing. Vision difficulty: blind
or has serious difficulty seeing even with glasses. Cognitive difficulty: has serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or maki ng
decisions. Ambulatory difficulty: has serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs. Self-care difficulty: has difficulty dressing or bathing.
Independent living difficulty: has difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping.
State law also requires Housing Elements to examine the housing needs of people with developmental
disabilities. Developmental disabilities are defined as severe, chronic, and attributed to a mental or physical
impairment that begins before a person turns 18 years old. This can include Down’s Syndrome, autism, epilepsy,
cerebral palsy, and mild to severe mental handicap. Some people with developmental disabilities are unable to
work, rely on Supplemental Security Income, and live with family members. In addition to their specific housing
needs, they are at increased risk of housing insecurity after an aging parent or family member is no longer able to
care for them.22
In the Town of Los Gatos, there are 50 children under the age of 18 with a developmental disability (40.7
percent), while there are 73 adults with a developmental disability (59.3 percent). Table 2-4 below shows the
number of persons in Los Gatos with developmental disabilities by age.
22 For more information or data on developmental disabilities in your jurisdiction, contact the Golden Gate Regional Center for Marin, San Francisco and
San Mateo Counties; the North Bay Regional Center for Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties; the Regional Center for the East Bay for Alameda and Contra
Costa Counties; or the San Andreas Regional Center for Santa Clara County.
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2-48 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element December 2021
Table 2-4 Los Gatos Population with Developmental Disabilities by Age
Age Group Number
Age Under 18 50
Age 18+ 73
SOURCE: California Department of Developmental Services, Consumer Count by California ZIP Code and Age Group (2020). This table is
included in the Data Packet Workbook as Table DISAB-04.
NOTE: Universe: Population with developmental disabilities. Notes: The California Department of Developmental Services is responsible for
overseeing the coordination and delivery of services to more than 330,000 Californians with developmental disabilities includ ing cerebral
palsy, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, autism, epilepsy, and related conditions. The California Department of Developmental
Services provides ZIP code level counts. To get jurisdiction-level estimates, ZIP code counts were cross walked to jurisdictions using census
block population counts from Census 2010 SF1 to determine the share of a ZIP code to assign to a given jurisdiction.
The most common living arrangement for individuals with disabilities is in Los Gatos is the home of
parent/family/guardian. Table 2-5 shows the Los Gatos population with developmental disabilities by residence.
Table 2-5 Los Gatos Population with Developmental Disabilities by Residence
Residence Type Number
Home of Parent/Family/Guardian 102
Foster/Family Home 9
Independent/Supported Living 7
Other 4
Community Care Facility 4
Intermediate Care Facility 0
SOURCE: California Department of Developmental Services, Consumer Count by California ZIP Code and Residence Type (2020). This table
is included in the Data Packet Workbook as Table DISAB-05.
NOTE: Universe: Population with developmental disabilities. Notes: The California Department of Developmental Services is responsible for
overseeing the coordination and delivery of services to more than 330,000 Californians with developmental disabilities including cerebral
palsy, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, autism, epilepsy, and related conditions. The California Department of Developmental
Services provides ZIP code level counts. To get jurisdiction-level estimates, ZIP code counts were cross walked to jurisdictions using census
block population counts from Census 2010 SF1 to determine the share of a ZIP code to assign to a given jurisdiction.
Homelessness
Homelessness remains an urgent challenge in many communities across the State, reflecting a range of social,
economic, and psychological factors. Rising housing costs result in increased risks of community members
experiencing homelessness. Far too many residents who have found themselves housing insecure have ended
up homeless in recent years, either temporarily or longer term. Addressing the specific housing needs for the
unhoused population remains a priority throughout the region, particularly since homelessness is
disproportionately experienced by people of color, people with disabilities, those struggling with addiction , and
those dealing with traumatic life circumstances.
In Santa Clara County, the most common type of household experiencing homelessness are those without
children in their care. Among households experiencing homelessness that do not have children, 87.1 percent are
unsheltered. Of homeless households with children, most are sheltered in an emergency shelter. Figure 2-41
shows household type and shelter status in Santa Clara County.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-49
Figure 2-41 Homelessness by Household Type and Shelter Status, Santa Clara County
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Continuum of Care (CoC) Homeless Populations and Subpopulati ons
Reports (2019). Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table HOMELS-01.
NOTES: Universe: Population experiencing homelessness. This data is based on Point-in-Time (PIT) information provided to HUD by CoCs in
the application for CoC Homeless Assistance Programs. The PIT Count provides a count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons on
a single night during the last ten days in January. Each Bay Area county is its own CoC, and so the data for this table is provided at the
county-level. Per HCD’s requirements, jurisdictions will need to supplement this county-level data with local estimates of people
experiencing homelessness.
People of color are more likely to experience poverty and financial instability as a result of fe deral and local
housing policies that have historically excluded them from the same opportunities extended to white residents.
Consequently, people of color are often disproportionately impacted by homelessness, particularly Black
residents of the Bay Area.
In Santa Clara County, White (Hispanic and Non-Hispanic) residents represent the largest proportion of residents
experiencing homelessness and account for 43.9 percent of the homeless population, while making up 44.5
percent of the overall population. Figure 2-42 shows the racial group share of the homeless population.
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2-50 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element December 2021
Figure 2-42 Racial Group Share of General and Homeless Populations, Santa Clara County
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Continuum of Care (CoC) Homeless Populations and Subpopulations
Reports (2019); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B01001(A-I). Data from ABAG/MTC
Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table HOMELS-02.
NOTES: Universe: Population experiencing homelessness. This data is based on Point-in-Time (PIT) information provided to HUD by CoCs in
the application for CoC Homeless Assistance Programs. The PIT Count provides a count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons on
a single night during the last ten days in January. Each Bay Area county is its own CoC, and so the data for this table is provided at the
county-level. Per HCD’s requirements, jurisdictions will need to supplement this county-level data with local estimates of people
experiencing homelessness. HUD does not disaggregate racial demographic data by Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity for people experien cing
homelessness. Instead, HUD reports data on Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity for people experiencing homelessness in a separate table.
Accordingly, the racial group data listed here includes both Hispanic/Latinx and non-Hispanic/Latinx individuals.
In Santa Clara County, Latinx residents represent 42.7 percent of the population experiencing homelessness,
while Latinx residents comprise 25.8 percent of the general population. Figure 2-43 shows the Latinx share of the
homeless population in Santa Clara County.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-51
Figure 2-43 Latinx Share of General and Homeless Populations, Santa Clara County
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Continuum of Care (CoC) Homeless Populations and Subpopulations
Reports (2019); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B01001(A-I). Data from ABAG/MTC
Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table HOMELS-03.
NOTES: Universe: Population experiencing homelessness. This data is based on Point-in-Time (PIT) information provided to HUD by CoCs
in the application for CoC Homeless Assistance Programs. The PIT Count provides a count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons
on a single night during the last ten days in January. Each Bay Area county is its own CoC, and so the data for this table is provided at the
county-level. Per HCD’s requirements, jurisdictions will need to supplement this county-level data with local estimates of people
experiencing homelessness. The data from HUD on Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity for individuals experiencing homelessness does not specify
racial group identity. Accordingly, individuals in either ethnic group identity category (Hispanic/Latinx or non-Hispanic/Latinx) could be of
any racial background.
Many of those experiencing homelessness are dealing with severe issues, including mental illness, substance
abuse, and domestic violence, which are potentially life threatening and require additional assistance.
In Santa Clara County, homeless individuals are commonly challenged by severe mental illness, with 2,659
reporting this condition. Of those, some 87.6 percent are unsheltered, further adding to the challenge of handling
the issue. Figure 2-44 shows selected characteristics of the homeless population in Santa Clara County.
Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element
2-52 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element December 2021
Figure 2-44 Characteristics for the Population Experiencing Homelessness, Santa Clara County
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Continuum of Care (CoC) Homeless Populations and Subpopulations
Reports (2019). Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Packet Workbook, Table HOMELS-04.
NOTES: Universe: Population experiencing homelessness. This data is based on Point-in-Time (PIT) information provided to HUD by CoCs in
the application for CoC Homeless Assistance Programs. The PIT Count provides a count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons on
a single night during the last ten days in January. Each Bay Area county is its own CoC, and so the data for this table is provided at the
county-level. Per HCD’s requirements, jurisdictions will need to supplement this county-level data with local estimates of people
experiencing homelessness. These challenges/characteristics are counted separately and are not mutually exclusive, as an individual may
report more than one challenge/characteristic. These counts should not be summed.
In the Town of Los Gatos, there were no reported students experiencing homeless in the 2019-20 school year.
By comparison, Santa Clara County has seen a 3.5 percent increase in the population of students experiencing
homelessness since the 2016-17 school year, and the Bay Area population of students experiencing
homelessness decreased by 8.5 percent. During the 2019-2020 school year, there were still some 13,718
students experiencing homelessness throughout the region, adding undue burdens on learning and thriving, with
the potential for longer term negative effects. Table 2-6 summarizes students in public schools experiencing
homelessness.
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-53
Table 2-6 Students in Local Public Schools Experiencing Homelessness
Academic Year Los Gatos Santa Clara County Bay Area
2016-17 0 2,219 14,990
2017-18 0 2,189 15,142
2018-19 0 2,405 15,427
2019-20 0 2,297 13,718
SOURCE: California Department of Education, California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS), Cumulative Enrollment
Data (Academic Years 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020). This table is included in the Data Packet Workbook as Table
HOMELS-05.
NOTE: Universe: Total number of unduplicated primary and short-term enrollments within the academic year (July 1 to June 30), public
schools. The California Department of Education considers students to be homeless if they are unsheltered, living in temporary shelters for
people experiencing homelessness, living in hotels/motels, or temporarily doubled up and sharing the housing of other pers ons due to the
loss of housing or economic hardship. The data used for this table was obtained at the school site level, matched to a file containing
school locations, geocoded and assigned to jurisdiction, and finally summarized by geography.
Farmworkers
Across the State, housing for farmworkers has been recognized as an important and unique concern.
Farmworkers generally receive wages that are considerably lower than other jobs and may have temporary
housing needs. Finding affordable housing can be challenging, particularly in the current housing market.
In the Town of Los Gatos, there were no reported students of migrant workers in the 2019 -20 school year. The
trend for the region for the past few years has been a decline of 2.4 percent in the number of migrant worker
students since the 2016-17 school year. The change at the county level is a 49.7 percent decrease in the number
of migrant worker students since the 2016-17 school year. Table 2-7 summarizes migrant worker student
population in the Town of Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, and the Bay Area as a whole.
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2-54 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element December 2021
Table 2-7 Migrant Worker Student Population
Academic Year Los Gatos Santa Clara County Bay Area
2016-17 0 978 4,630
2017-18 0 732 4,607
2018-19 0 645 4,075
2019-20 0 492 3,976
SOURCE: California Department of Education, California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS), Cumulative Enrollment
Data (Academic Years 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020). This table is included in the Data Packet Workbook as Table FARM
01.
NOTES: Universe: Total number of unduplicated primary and short-term enrollments within the academic year (July 1 to June 30), public
schools. The data used for this table was obtained at the school site level, matched to a file containing school locations, geocoded and
assigned to jurisdiction, and finally summarized by geography.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Farmworkers, the number of permanent farm workers
in Santa Clara County has increased since 2002, totaling 2,418 in 2017, while the number of seasonal farm
workers has decreased, totaling 1,757 in 2017. Figure 2-45 shows farm operation and labor in Santa Clara
County.
Figure 2-45 Farm Operations and Farm Labor by County, Santa Clara County
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census of Farmworkers (2002, 2007, 2012, 2017), Table 7: Hired Farm Labor . For the data table
behind this figure, please refer to the Data Packet Workbook, Table FARM-02.
NOTES: Universe: Hired farm workers (including direct hires and agricultural service workers who are often hired through labo r
contractors). Farm workers are considered seasonal if they work on a farm less than 150 days in a year, while farm workers who work on a
farm more than 150 days are considered to be permanent workers for that farm.
Non-English Speakers
California has long been an immigration gateway to the United States, which means that many languages are
spoken throughout the Bay Area. Since learning a new language is universally challenging, it is not uncommon
for residents who have immigrated to the United States to have limited English proficiency. This limitation can
2. Housing Needs Assessment
December 2021 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element 2-55
lead to additional disparities if there is a disruption in housing, such as an eviction, because residents might not
be aware of their rights or they might be wary to engage due to immigration status concerns.
In the Town of Los Gatos, 1.7 percent of residents five years and older identified as speaking English not well or
not at all, which was below the proportion for Santa Clara County. Throughout the region the proportion of
residents five years and older with limited English proficiency was eight percent. Figure 2-46 shows population
with limited English proficiency in the Town of Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, and the Bay Area as a whole.
Figure 2-46 Population with Limited English Proficiency
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2015-2019), Table B16005. Data from ABAG/MTC Housing Needs
Data Packet Workbook, Table AFFH-03.
NOTE: Universe: Population 5 years and over.
Santa Clara County has approximately 23 emergency shelters, providing close to 800 beds year -round, with an
additional 300 beds available during the winter months (November through March). There are also over 1,100
transitional housing beds throughout the County that offer a combination of stable housing and intensive, targeted
support services for the mentally ill, those with chronic substance abuse, developmental disabilities, and other
factors that prevent the homeless from returning to permanent housin g situations. Transitional housing includes
both single site and "scattered site" programs. Table 2-8 provides a summary of homeless facilities, emergency
shelters and transitional housing near the Town of Los Gatos.
1.7%
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2-56 Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element December 2021
Table 2-8 Homeless Facilities Near Los Gatos
Facility Beds Target Population Location
Emergency Shelters
Asian Americans for Community
Involvement 12 Women with Children San Jose
City Team Rescue Mission 52 Single men San Jose
Hospitality House, Salvation Army 24 Single men San Jose
Our House Youth Services HomeFirst 10 Homeless and run-away youth San Jose
San Jose Family Shelter 143 Families San Jose
Support Network for Battered Women 18 Domestic violence shelter- women and
children San Jose
Emergency Shelter/Transitional Housing
InnVision 178 Working men, women & children, mentally
ill men & women San Jose
James Boccardo Reception Center 370 Families and single adults San Jose
Transitional Housing
Next Door- Women with Children 19 Domestic Violence Shelter -Women and
children San Jose
St. Josephs Cathedral 45 Worker housing- men, women and children San Jose
YWCA- Villa Nueva 126 Women and children San Jose
SOURCE: Santa Clara County Consolidated Plan, 2010-2015
Appendix 5
Appendix E. Review of Previous Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 5-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Appendix E. Review of Previous Housing Element
5.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………….2
5.2 Effectiveness of the Housing Element………………………………………………………... 2
5.3 Progress on Implementation………………………………………………………………...… 2
5.4 Appropriateness of Goals, Objectives, and Policies………………………………………. 12
5.5 Summary………………………………………………………………………………………..13
ATTACHMENT 2
Draft Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 5-2
5.1 Introduction
In order to effectively plan for the future, it is important to reflect back on the goals of the previous
Housing Element and to identify those areas where progress was made and those areas where
continued effort is needed. State Housing Element guidelines require c ommunities to evaluate their
previous Housing Element according to the following criteria:
▪ Effectiveness of the Element;
▪ Progress on Implementation; and
▪ Appropriateness in Goals, Objectives, and Policies.
5.2 Effectiveness of the Element
The Town of Los Gatos’ 2015 to 2023 Housing Element identified the following goals:
▪ Expand the choice of housing opportunities for all economic segments of the community by
supporting the development of affordable housing in a variety of types and sizes, including a
mixture of ownership and rental housing.
▪ Maintain and/or adopt appropriate land use regulations and other development tools to encourage
the development of affordable housing that is compatible with the neighborhood and the
community.
▪ Preserve existing residential opportunities, including the existing affordable housing stock.
▪ Ensure that all persons have equal access to housing opportunities.
▪ Retain and expand affordable housing opportunities for seniors.
▪ Mitigate Town governmental constraints to afforda ble and special needs housing development.
▪ Encourage residential construction that promotes green building and energy conservation
practices.
▪ Ensure that the Town has sufficient resources and takes appropriate measures to implement the
Housing Element.
▪ Maintain the Town’s 2005 jobs-to-household ratio of 1.5 jobs per household.
In order to achieve these goals, the 2015 to 2023 Housing Element listed a series of policies and
actions. The policies covered a range of housing concerns, including appropriate zon ing for lower and
moderate-income households, assisting in developing affordable housing, removing governmental
constraints, conserving the existing affordable housing stock, preventing the conversion of affordable
units to market rate, and promoting equal housing opportunities for all persons. The policies comply
with State housing law guidelines.
5.3 Progress on Implementation
To assess the Town’s progress on implementing the 2015 to 2023 Housing Element, the following key
areas were reviewed:
Review of Previous Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 5-3
▪ Adopted Programs;
▪ Production of Housing;
▪ Preservation of “At Risk” Units; and
▪ Rehabilitation of Existing Units.
Each of these areas is discussed in detail below.
Overview of Adopted Programs
Table A5-1 identifies all of the actions the Town committed to in the 2015 Housing Element. The table
also includes a description of the progress that was made during the 2015 –2023 planning period.
Draft Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 5-4
Table AError! No text of specified style in document.-1 Overview of Adopted Programs
No.
Programs/Actions
[The text provided in this column is a synopsis only; for complete
program language refer to the 2015 to 2023 Housing Element]
Achievements/Effectiveness Continue/Modify/
Delete
Goal
HOU-1
Expand the choice of housing opportunities for all economic segments of the community by supporting the development of
affordable housing in a variety of types and sizes, including a mixture of ownership and rental housing. Modify
Policy
HOU-1.1 Develop and utilize all available housing funding resources in order to provide the maximum amount of affordable housing as feasible. Modify
Policy
HOU-1.2 Work with nonprofit agencies and housing developers to plan and develop a mix of affordable housing opportunities in Los Gato s. Modify
Actions
1.1 Continue to implement the Below Market Price (BMP) program and evaluate it
annually to ensure it is not a constraint to development.
BMP Program is implemented on all residential
projects that meet the criteria. Modify
1.2
Amend the Town Code to allow new deed restricted Accessory Dwelling Units
(ADU) to be affordable to lower income households on non-conforming residential
lots over 10,000 square feet and in the Hillside Residential Zone on sites that are
larger than 5 acres.
Town Code has been amended to address this. Modify
1.3
Continue to provide up to a 100 percent density bonus for developments that
include housing for elderly, handicapped, and/or very low and low-income
households.
This is an incentive that is provided to projects
that meet the criteria. Modify
1.4
Using BMP in-lieu fees, implement the proposed programs and initiatives of the
Town’s Affordable Housing Strategies to increase and preserve affordable housing,
such as purchasing affordability covenants in existing apartments.
Use of BMP in-lieu fees will be considered as
opportunities arise. Modify
1.5 Hold a periodic outreach meeting with affordable housing developers to discuss
the development of housing affordable to extremely low-income households.
The Town will consider incentives when projects
of this nature are proposed. Modify
1.6
Encourage the creation of housing that is affordable to extremely low-income
households by considering allocating a percentage of the Town ’s Affordable
Housing (Below Market Price) fund to subsidize housing for extremely low-income
households.
Use of BMP in-lieu fees will be considered as
opportunities arise. Modify
Review of Previous Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 5-5
No.
Programs/Actions
[The text provided in this column is a synopsis only; for complete
program language refer to the 2015 to 2023 Housing Element]
Achievements/Effectiveness Continue/Modify/
Delete
1.7
The Town will rezone 13.5 acres within the North 40 Specific Plan area within three
years of Housing Element adoption at minimum a density of 20 dwelling units per
acre to facilitate affordable housing production.
Complete Delete
1.8
To assist the development of housing for lower income households on sites larger
than ten acres, the Town will facilitate land divisions and lot line adjustments to
result in parcels sizes between one to ten acres that facilitate multiple-family
developments affordable to lower income households in light of state, federal and
local financing programs.
Projects are given priority. Continue
Goal
HOU-2
Maintain and/or adopt appropriate land use regulations and other development tools to encourage the development of affordable
housing that is compatible with the neighborhood and the community. Modify
Policy
HOU-2.1
Continue to designate sufficient, residentially zoned land at appropriate densities to provide adequate sites to accommodate Los
Gatos’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for 2015–2023. Continue
Policy
HOU-2.2
Ensure that the Town will provide sufficient land at appropriate zoning categories to meet its RHNA for very low -, low-, and moderate-
income households, as demonstrated in the Housing Sites Inventory analysis in Chapter 6 of the Housing Element Technical Appe ndix. Modify
Policy
HOU-2.3
Encourage mixed–use developments that provide affordable housing close to employment centers and/or transportation facilities,
particularly along Los Gatos Boulevard and within a ½-mile radius of the future Vasona light rail station. Modify
Policy
HOU-2.4
Demonstrate that all new residential development is sufficiently served by public services and facilities, including pedestri an and
vehicular circulation, water and wastewater services, police, fire, schools, and parks. Continue
Policy
HOU-2.5 New single-family, multi-family, and mixed-use developments shall be compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood. Modify
Policy
HOU-2.6 Strive to ensure that at least 30 percent of the housing stock is rental units. Modify
Policy
HOU-2.7 Create new affordable housing opportunities through acquisition using Affordable Housing Funds. Modify
Actions
2.1 Continue to implement the minimum density and affordable housing incentives
within the AHOZ
This will be implemented when a project in the
AHOZ is considered. Modify
2.2
For multiple-family residential development within the North 40 and the Southbay
AHOZ site, subject to by right development, the Town will amend the Town Code to
add by right development findings.
This has not yet been completed. Modify
Draft Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 5-6
No.
Programs/Actions
[The text provided in this column is a synopsis only; for complete
program language refer to the 2015 to 2023 Housing Element]
Achievements/Effectiveness Continue/Modify/
Delete
2.3 The Town Code (Zoning Regulations) will be amended to clarify that Transitional
and Supportive Housing is permitted in all residential zones by right.
The Town will comply with State Law and SB 743 if
a project is proposed before the Town Code is
amended.
Delete
2.4
For multiple family residential development within the North 40 and the Southbay
AHOZ site subject to by right development, the Town will amend the Town Code to
add by right development findings.
This has not yet been completed.
Modify
2.5
To ensure adequate residential capacity to accommodate the RHNA for each
income category, the Town will develop and implement an ongoing formal
evaluation procedure (project-by-project) of sites identified in the Sites Inventory.
If this situation arises the Town will comply with
this requirement. Continue
Goal
HOU-3 Preserve existing residential opportunities, including the existing affordable housing stock. Modify
Policy
HOU-3.1 Encourage the maintenance and improvement of existing housing units. Modify
Policy
HOU-3.2
Support the preservation and conservation of existing housing units that provide affordable housing opportunities for Town residents
and workers. Modify
Policy
HOU-3.3 Improve the quality of rental housing by acquisition and/or rehabilitation using Affordable Housing Fund. Modify
Policy
HOU-3.4
Preserve the affordability of units affordable to very low-, low-, and moderate-income households in Bonnie View Park, and enforce
zoning regulations regarding conversion of mobile home parks in Los Gatos. Modify
Actions
3.1 Continue to monitor affordable, multi-family housing units in the Town to ensure
that they retain their affordability status.
No units have been converted to market rate
rents. Continue
3.2
The Town will continue to implement Section 29.20.155 of the Town Code that
addresses conversions of residential use, specifically Section 29.20.155(a)(2) that
requires that any proposed conversion satisfy the housing goals and policies as set
forth in the General Plan.
This will be considered if a conversion of
residential uses is proposed.
Continue
3.3
Continue to participate in the County of Santa Clara Community Development
Block Grant Joint Powers Authority so Town residents can participate in County
CDBG Housing Rehabilitation programs.
The Town still participates in these programs. Continue
3.4
Continue to support countywide programs that provide assistance with minor
home repairs and accessibility improvements for lower-income households,
including special needs households.
The Town supports these programs. Modify
Review of Previous Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 5-7
No.
Programs/Actions
[The text provided in this column is a synopsis only; for complete
program language refer to the 2015 to 2023 Housing Element]
Achievements/Effectiveness Continue/Modify/
Delete
Goal
HOU-4
Ensure that all persons have equal access to housing opportunities. Modify
Policy
HOU-4.1 Support housing programs that protect individuals’ rights. Modify
Policy
HOU-4.2
Continue to provide assistance to service providers who support special needs households such as seniors, persons with disabilities
(including developmental challenges), and the homeless, such as Project Sentinel, Santa Clara County Housing Authority, and Santa
Clara County Office of Supportive Housing.
Modify
Policy
HOU-4.3
Continue to encourage Los Gatos households to participate in financial assistance programs provided in the County of Santa Clara. Continue
Actions
4.1 Continue to provide a guide to developments that include affordable housing units
as part of the Housing Resources Guide posted on the Town’s website.
Town Housing Resources Guide is updated when
necessary. Modify
4.2
Continue the administration of the Rental Dispute Resolution Program and
consider revisions as necessary to make the program as effective as possible in
protecting both tenants and landlords’ rights.
The Town continues to use Project Sentinel to
administer a Rental Dispute Resolution Program. Continue
4.3
Continue to allow for an emergency shelter as a by-right permitted use in the
Controlled Manufacturing (CM) zoning district, subject to appropriate development
standards.
Town Code has been amended to address this. Delete
4.4 Continue to provide support for community and non-profit organizations providing
supportive services for homeless persons in Los Gatos.
The Town continues to support organizations that
provide supportive services for homeless persons. Continue
4.5
Support the efforts of the Santa Clara County Fair Housing Consortium. Continue
to make referrals through Project Sentinel and provide updated fair housing
information on the Town’s website and at public locations through the Town, such
as the Adult Recreation Center and public kiosks.
Project Sentinel is a member of the Santa Clara
County Fair Housing Consortium and administers
the Town's Rental Dispute Resolution Program.
Modify
4.6 Support the efforts of non-profit affordable housing organizations that provide
housing services in Los Gatos.
The Town has met with affordable housing
organizations regarding potential development in
Town.
Modify
4.7 Continue to support the County of Santa Clara’s Continuum of Care plan, as well as
the “Housing 1000” campaign by Destination: Home.
The Town continues to support Santa Clara
County's Continuum of Care Plan. Continue
Draft Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 5-8
No.
Programs/Actions
[The text provided in this column is a synopsis only; for complete
program language refer to the 2015 to 2023 Housing Element]
Achievements/Effectiveness Continue/Modify/
Delete
4.8 The Town shall amend the Town Code within one year of the Housing Element
adoption to be consistent with the Employee Housing Act.
The Town will comply with State Law if a project is
proposed, or an issue comes up before the Town
Code is amended.
Delete
Goal
HOU-5 Retain and expand affordable housing opportunities for seniors. Modify
Policy
HOU-5.1 Promote the Town’s Housing Conservation Program to assist low-income seniors with basic home repairs and maintenance. Modify
Policy
HOU-5.2
Allow and encourage small-scale living facilities of two to six seniors that may include nursing care services that can be integrated into
existing neighborhoods as infill development. Delete
Policy
HOU-5.3
Work with existing senior lifestyle living and assisted living facilities in Los Gatos, and support the development of new senior housing
that includes continuum of care facilities within the Town. Modify
Actions
5.1 Provide regularly updated senior housing resource materials at the Adult
Recreation Center.
Senior resource materials are updated when
necessary. Modify
Goal
HOU-6 Mitigate Town governmental constraints to affordable and special needs housing development. Modify
Policy
HOU-6.1 Continue expediting the permit processing system for affordable residential development applications. Modify
Policy
HOU-6.2 Encourage universal design features in all new residential developments, to supplement the Title 24 requirements. Delete
Policy
HOU-6.3 Support the rehabilitation and modification of housing to allow accessible to people of all abilities. Modify
Policy
HOU-6.4
Support the provision of permanent, affordable, and accessible housing that allows persons with special needs to live independent
lives. For the purposes of this Housing Element “persons with special needs” include extremely low-income households, the elderly,
overcrowded and large-family households, the homeless population, those in need of emergency shelter, youth aging out of foster
care, female-headed or single-parent households, and persons with disabilities, including developmental challenges.
Continue
Review of Previous Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 5-9
No.
Programs/Actions
[The text provided in this column is a synopsis only; for complete
program language refer to the 2015 to 2023 Housing Element]
Achievements/Effectiveness Continue/Modify/
Delete
Policy
HOU-6.5 Support efforts to provide coordinated services for persons with special needs in the Town. Modify
Actions
6.1 Regularly review Town planning and zoning regulations and remove affordable
housing development constraints as appropriate.
The Town's Housing Element contains a number
of items that limit or remove constraints. Modify
6.2
Continue to enforce Section 29.10.505–530 of the Town Code to ensure equal
access to housing for persons with disabilities under the Fair Housing Act and
provide specific procedures for requesting and granting reasonable
accommodations.
This has not yet been completed. Continue
6.3 Remove constraints to housing for persons with disabilities and encourage
accessible housing in new residential developments.
Removal of constraints is considered when
necessary. Modify
6.4 Give priority to special needs housing by allowing for reduced processing time and
streamlined procedures for such appropriate zoning/land use applications.
If a project of this nature is submitted it will be
given priority. Modify
6.5 Include preferential handling of special needs populations in management plans
and regulatory agreements of funded projects.
Will be considered when plans are adopted, and
projects are funded. Modify
6.6 Explore opportunities to work with local and/or regional partners to provide rental
assistance for persons with developmental challenges.
The Town will explore opportunities with local
and/or regional partners during the Housing
Element update process.
Modify
6.7
Consider development of universal design enhancements to existing design
guidelines and standards to encourage the inclusion of universal design features in
new construction. Periodically study every two years and adopt as appropriate
specific revisions or amendments to the Town’s development documents as part of
the Town Building Code.
The Town considers enhancements to universal
design and the Town requires universal design
features in new construction consistent with
Building Code requirements.
Delete
6.8
Increase awareness of universal design principles by periodically educating the
Town Council, Commissions, and Boards about universal design and making
information available to residents and builders at the Community Development
Counter.
The Town takes appropriate actions to increase
awareness of universal design principles. Delete
Draft Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 5-10
No.
Programs/Actions
[The text provided in this column is a synopsis only; for complete
program language refer to the 2015 to 2023 Housing Element]
Achievements/Effectiveness Continue/Modify/
Delete
6.9
Continue to work with the local California Department of Developmental Services
Regional Center to continue to inform families within Los Gatos on housing and
services available for persons with developmental challenges.
The Town works with the California Department
of Developmental Services to inform citizens of
available services.
Modify
6.10
On a biannual basis, continue to review, evaluate, update, and streamline as
necessary, the development process for housing developments that will guarantee
affordable units on a long-term basis for very low-, low-, and moderate-income
households.
The Town considers improvements to the
development review process for affordable
housing projects when they are proposed.
Delete
Goal
HOU-7 Encourage residential construction that promotes green building and energy conservation practices. Modify
Policy
HOU-7.1
Encourage sustainable housing development throughout the Town using the Town’s voluntary green building program by continuing to
require that all residential development applications complete the Build It Green GreenPoint Rated Checklist as part of the
development application package.
Modify
Policy
HOU-7.2 Promote the construction of energy efficient new homes utilizing the Energy Star Homes Program. Delete
Actions
7.1 Continue to enforce State of California Title 24 requirements for energy
conservation.
The Town enforces Title 24 requirements. Continue
Goal
HOU-8 Ensure that the Town has sufficient resources and takes appropriate measures to implement the Housing Element. Modify
Policy
HOU-8.1
All approvals of residential developments of three or more units shall include a finding that the proposed development is consistent
with the Town’s Housing Element and addresses the Town’s housing needs as identified in the Housing Element. Delete
Policy
HOU-8.2 Provide adequate management and staffing of affordable housing funds and programs. Continue
Actions
8.1
Prepare an annual housing report for the review of the Town Council including
information on progress made towards achieving new construction need,
affordable housing conserved/developed, effectiveness of existing programs and
recommendations for improvement.
The Town prepares an annual housing report. Continue
Review of Previous Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 5-11
No.
Programs/Actions
[The text provided in this column is a synopsis only; for complete
program language refer to the 2015 to 2023 Housing Element]
Achievements/Effectiveness Continue/Modify/
Delete
8.2 Continue to fund staff for the management and planning of housing programs and
funding for the Town.
The Town has contracted with HouseKeys to
administer our affordable housing program and
has staff that dedicate time to the Town’s
affordable housing program.
Continue
8.3 Deliver the adopted Housing Element to the San Jose Water Company and the
West Valley Sanitation District.
Town staff regularly work with the San Jose Water
Company and West Valley Sanitation District on
upgrades to their infrastructure and they are
involved in development applications and
environmental review.
Continue
Goal
HOU-9 Maintain the Town’s 2005 jobs-to-household ratio of 1.5 jobs per household. Modify
Policy
HOU-9.1
As part of the development review process, evaluate applications that have significant numbers of jobs or housing in regard t o the
potential impact on the Town’s jobs/housing ratio. However, the jobs/housing balance shall not be used as criterion for denyi ng
projects that include affordable housing opportunities.
Modify
Review of Previous Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 5-12
Production of Housing
The 2015 to 2023 Housing Element identified a RHNA of 619 housing units in Los Gatos between January 1,
2015, and June 30, 2023. The RHNA was divided into the following income categories:
▪ 100 units affordable to extremely low-income households;
▪ 101 units affordable to very low-income households;
▪ 112 units affordable to low-income households;
▪ 132 units affordable to moderate-income households; and
▪ 174 units affordable to above moderate-income households.
As shown in Table A5-2, during the 2015 and 2023 planning period, 502 new units were added to the Town’s
housing stock, achieving almost 81.1 percent of the Town’s RHNA. This indicates that residential growth was
slower than anticipated, which may be in part due to the Covid pandemic and cost of land. Units affordable to
moderate-, low-, and very low-income households that were created during the planning period include density
bonus senior rental units (North Forty Phase I), an attached condominium (Union Avenue) and detached single-
family residences (Knowles Avenue) produced through the BMP program and accessory dwelling units.
Table A5-2 Housing Units Produced from 2015 to 2023
Affordability
New Construction
Need
Housing Units
Produced Percent Achieved
Extremely Low 100 0 *
Very Low 101 49 48.5%
Low 112 3 2.7%
Moderate 132 119 90.1%
Above Moderate 174 331 190.2%
Total 619 502 81.1%
SOURCE: HCD Annual Progress Report Dashboard (as of September 20, 2021).
NOTE: This table will be updated prior to finalization to account for units through January 1, 2023.
Preservation of “At Risk” Units
According to the 2015 to 2023 Housing Element, there were no affordable units at risk of converting to market
rate within 10 years from the beginning of the 2015 to 2023 planning period.
Rehabilitation of Existing Units
The Town did not rehabilitate any housing units between 2015 and 2023.
5.4 Appropriateness of Goals, Objectives, and Policies
The goals, objectives, and policies identified in the 2015 Housing Element were appropriate for the 2015 to 2023
timeframe because they directly relate to the program requirements listed by the California Department of
Housing and Community Development.
As for new construction, the greatest progress was made in producing housing in the Moderate Income and
Above Moderate-Income categories, where the Town permitted approximately 90 percent and 190 percent of the
needed units, respectively. The Town permitted only about a quarter of its needed Very Low-Income units and
less than three percent of its Low-Income units. As was the case in the in prior years, the cost of housing
continued to be high in Los Gatos, making affordable housing difficult to develop in the Los Gatos market. The
Review of Previous Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 5-13
Town successfully provided the governmental framework to encourage and facilitate affordable housi ng through a
continuation of its BMP program and enhanced Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance.
5.5 Summary
Like many communities, the Town of Los Gatos experienced less development than expected in its 2015 to 2023
planning period. Of the 630 units it identified in its table of quantified housing objectives (Table H -3 on page 47 of
the 2015 to 2023 Housing Element), the Town permitted 502 units (approximately 81 percent), most of them for
Above Moderate-Income households.
Nonetheless, the goals, objectives, policies, and actions in the 2015 to 2023 Housing Element complied with
State housing law that was in effect at the time and provided proper guidance for housing development in the
Town. In the 2023 to 2031 Housing Element update, objectives for each of the goals will be modified as
appropriate to more specifically respond to the current housing environment in Los Gatos. Policies will also be
modified as needed to respond to current Housing Element law and existing and anticipated residential
development conditions.
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GENERAL PLAN
2021 ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
ATTACHMENT 3
2
INTRODUCTION
The Town Council adopted the Town of Los Gatos 2020 General Plan on September 20, 2010,
after an extensive two-year community process to update and build upon the strong
foundational framework established by the Town’s 2000 General Plan.
On May 5, 2015, the Town adopted its 2015-2023 Housing Element which is a required sub-
element of the General Plan. The State Housing and Community Development Department
certified the Housing Element on May 20, 2015.
Government Code Section 65400 mandates that cities and counties submit an annual report on
the status of their General Plan and any progress in its implementation to their legislative
bodies. Annual Progress Reports (APRs) must be presented to the local legislative body for its
review and acceptance, usually as a consent or discussion item on a regular meeting agenda.
2021 SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS
The following significant Planning efforts made progress or were completed in 2021:
• General Plan Update
The General Plan Update Advisory Committee completed their work on the update on
May 6, 2021, with a recommendation of a Draft 2040 General Plan. The Draft
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was published for public comment starting in July
2021. On November 19, 2021, the revised Notice of Completion and Availability was
reissued along with a revised Chapter 4.15, Transportation, and Executive Summary of
the Draft EIR for a reopened public review period which ended on January 8, 2022.
Planning Commission consideration of the Draft 2040 General Plan and Final EIR is
anticipated to begin in April of 2022. Following a recommendation from the Planning
Commission, Town Council will consider the Draft 2040 General Plan and Final EIR.
• Housing Element Update
The Town Council established the Housing Element Advisory Board (HEAB) in 2021, and
the HEAB has held their first three meetings for the Housing Element update process in
late 2021 and early 2022. Work on the update is anticipated to run through the end of
2022.
• Objective Standards
A subcommittee of the Planning Commission held five meetings to develop a list of
topics that should be covered by Objective Standards. Work on development of
Objective Standards, including a Community Meeting held on February 22, 2022, is
anticipated to be completed by the fall of 2022.
3
• Senate Bill (SB) 9
The Town Council adopted an Urgency Ordinance to implement SB 9 with local objective
standards. Work on a permanent ordinance is anticipated to be completed before the
end of 2022.
HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS
The Housing Element Annual Progress Report for 2021 is attached as Exhibit A.
PROPERTIES ANNEXED TO THE TOWN IN 2021
The Town Council approved the following annexations to the Town of Los Gatos from
Unincorporated Santa Clara County in 2021:
• Winterbrook Road No. 6: 16030 Winterbrook Road (approximately 0.319 acres)
Approved October 13, 2021
• Winterbrook Road No. 7: 16010 Winterbrook Road (approximately 0.95 acres)
Approved December 10, 2021
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Left Blank
Jurisdiction Los Gatos ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT
Reporting Year 2021 (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31)Housing Element Implementation
Planning Period 5th Cycle 01/31/2015 - 01/31/2023 (CCR Title 25 §6202)
1 3 4
RHNA Allocation
by Income Level 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Total Units to
Date (all years)
Total Remaining
RHNA by Income
Level
Deed Restricted - - - - - 49 - - -
Non-Deed Restricted - - - - - - - - -
Deed Restricted - 2 - - - 1 - - -
Non-Deed Restricted - - - - - - - - -
Deed Restricted - - - - - 1 2 - -
Non-Deed Restricted 2 3 4 16 28 27 36 - -
Above Moderate 174 13 38 9 7 3 76 185 - - 331 -
619
15 43 13 23 31 154 223 - - 502 274
Note: units serving extremely low-income households are included in the very low-income permitted units totals and must be reported as very low-income units.
109
Please note: For the last year of the 5th cycle, Table B will only include units that were permitted during the portion of the year that was in the 5th cycle. For the first year of the 6th cycle, Table B will include units that were
permitted since the start of the planning period.
Total RHNA
Total Units
Income Level
Very Low
Low
Please note: The APR form can only display data for one planning period. To view progress for a different planning period, you may login to HCD's online APR system, or contact HCD staff at apr@hcd.ca.gov.
13
49
This table is auto-populated once you enter your jurisdiction name and current year data. Past
year information comes from previous APRs.
119 Moderate
201
112
132
Please contact HCD if your data is different than the material supplied here
3
2
Table B
Regional Housing Needs Allocation Progress
Permitted Units Issued by Affordability
152
Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 10-1
Goals, Policies, and Implementation Programs
The Town encourages the production of a diversity of new housing to ensure an adequate supply is available to
meet the needs of existing and future residents. To enable the construction of quality housing, the Town has
identified the following policies and actions.
HE-1 Facilitate Housing Construction
HE-1.1 Adequate Sites
Continue to designate sufficient, residentially zoned land at appropriate densities to provide
adequate sites to accommodate Los Gatos’s RHNA for 2023–2031 and monitor residential
development to ensure there is an adequate level of remaining development capacity.
(Source: Formerly Policies HOU-2.1, 2.2, and 9.1)
HE-1.2 Infrastructure
Demonstrate that all new residential development is sufficiently served by public services and
facilities, including pedestrian and vehicular circulation, water and wastewater services, police,
fire, schools, and parks.
(Source: Formerly Policies HOU-2.4, 2.2, and 9.1)
HE-1.3 Housing Design
Ensure that all new housing is well-designed and fosters a sense of community.
(Source: Formerly Policy HOU-2.5 modified)
HE-1.4 Town Resources
Provide adequate management and staffing to complete the Housing Element programs.
(Source: Formerly Policy HOU-8.2)
ATTACHMENT 4
Draft Housing Element
10-2 Draft Housing Element June 2022
HE-1.5 Efficient Development Processing
Explore continued improvements to the entitlement process to streamline and coordinate the
processing of permits, design review, and environmental clearance.
(New)
HE-1.6 Variety of Housing Choices
Encourage the production of housing that meets all economic segments of the Town, including
lower and moderate-income households, to maintain a balanced community.
(New)
HE-1 Implementation Pr ograms
A Large Site Program:
To assist the development of housing, especially for lower income households, on sites larger
than 10 acres, the Town will facilitate land divisions and lot line adjustments to result in parcels
sizes between 1 to 10 acres that facilitate multiple-family developments affordable to lower
income households in light of state, federal, and local financing programs.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Time Frame: Provide incentives and assistance as applications are submitted to the
Town.
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-1.8)
B No Net Loss
To ensure adequate residential capacity to accommodate the Regional Housing Needs Allocation
(RHNA) for each income category, the Town will develop and implement an ongoing formal
evaluation procedure (project-by-project) of sites identified in the Sites Inventory to maintain
sufficient sites at appropriate densities to accommodate its RHNA for lower income households.
If an approval of a development results in a reduction of site capacity below the residential
capacity needed to accommodate the remaining RHNA, including for lower income households,
the Town will identify and zone sufficient adequate sites at appropriate densities to accommodate
the remaining RHNA.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Time Frame: Annually update the sites inventory in conjunction with Government
Code Section 65400 Housing Element Annual Reports.
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-2.5)
C Governmental Constraints
Update the existing permit software system to better monitor average processing times for
ministerial and discretionary permits. Use data to set baseline timelines and explore
improvements. Remove permit processing constraints as appropriate.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 10-3
Time Frame: Review and update regulations as appropriate at biannually years
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-6.1 modified)
D Report Annually on Housing Availability
Prepare an annual housing report for the review of the Town Council, including information on
progress made towards achieving new construction need, affordable housing
conserved/developed, effectiveness of existing programs, and recommendations for
improvement. Consult and collaborate with non-profit providers, special need providers, and other
community resources in preparation and evaluation of the report.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: January 2023 to January 2031
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-8.1 modified)
E Housing Management
Continue to fund staff for the management and planning of housing programs and funding for the
Town.
Funding Source: Town BMP Housing In-Lieu Fee Fund
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: January 2023 to January 2031
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-8.2 modified)
F Remove Conditional Use Permits for Residential Development
Implement Implementation Program 3.11.K in the Draft 2040 General Plan Update and remove
Conditional Use Permits for residential uses, to the extent feasible. Risk and costs associated
with the planning entitlement process act as a deterrent to housing developers. Multiple permit
requirements with associated public hearings increase the decision-making length of time and
uncertainty. Removing the Conditional Use Permit requirement provides more certainty for
housing developers.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: June 2025
(Placeholder from Draft 2040 General Plan)
G Coordination with Water and Sewers Providers
Deliver the adopted Housing Element to the San Jose Water Company and the West Valley
Sanitation District so that they can prioritize current and future resources or services for housing
development that helps meet Los Gatos’s RHNA for lower income households.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: Upon adoption of this Housing Element
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-8.3 modified)
Draft Housing Element
10-4 Draft Housing Element June 2022
H Mixed Residential Neighborhoods
Implement Policy LU-1.1 in the Draft 2040 General Plan Update that allow for mixed res idential
neighborhoods, including higher residential density and multi-family development. Identify further
opportunities in existing areas to increase residential density and expand areas for residential
development where it has previously not been allow ed.
Multi-family residential units ranging up to 40 units per acre can help meet the needs of families,
seniors, and students. The Town will update the Zoning Ordinance to allow higher residential
densities in accordance with Implementation Program(s) in the Draft 2040 General Plan.
(Placeholder from Draft 2040 General Plan)
I Missing Middle
Implement the Missing Middle Housing Policy LU-1.2 in the Draft 2040 General Plan Update
which supports housing types and designs that increase density while remaining consistent with
the building scale. This includes multi-family units or clustered residential buildings that provide
relatively smaller, less expensive units within the existing neighborhoods.
Low rise multi-family dwelling units ranging from 2-10 units can help meet the needs of families,
seniors, and students. Permit processing times tend to be shorter than larger multi-family
buildings due to the low-rise nature of the structures. The Town will update the Zoning Code to
facilitate low rise multi-family structures in the Low and Medium Residential Density designations
per Implementation Program(s) in the Draft 2040 General Plan.
(Placeholder from Draft 2040 General Plan)
J Small Residential Units
Encourage developers to include developments with small and micro-dwelling units per Policy
LU-3.3 in the Draft 2040 General Plan to increase affordable housing options for the community.
Smaller dwelling units can help meet the housing needs for aging adults, students, and lower-
income individuals.
(Placeholder from Draft 2040 General Plan)
Additional information regarding affordable housing and land use development please see the Land
Use Element.
HE-2 Improve the Existing Housing Stock
Providing more housing is a priority, but maintaining and preserving existing housing also plays a critical role.
Much of the older housing in the Town can be naturally affordable, as priced by the housing market, but must be
well-maintained to provide quality housing across income levels.
HE-2.1 Property and Housing Conditions
Support and encourage long-term maintenance and improvement of existing housing units
through Code Enforcement and housing rehabilitation programs.
(Source: Formerly Policies HOU-3.1, 3.2, 5.1, and 6.3 modified)
Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 10-5
HE-2.2 Multi-family Housing Acquisition Improvement
Improve the quality of rental housing by acquisition and/or rehabilitation using the Affordable
Housing Fund and support nonprofit housing providers in the acquisition and rehabilitation of
older housing stock, and maintenance as long-term affordable housing.
(Source: Formerly Policy HOU-3.3 modified)
HE-2.3 Home Affordability Preservation
Preserve the affordability of units affordable to very low-, low-, and moderate-income households
in the Town and Bonnie View Mobile Home Park, and enforce zoning regulations regarding
conversion of mobile home parks in Los Gatos.
(Source: Formerly Policy HOU-3.4)
HE-2 Implementation Programs
K Preserve “At-Risk” Affordable Housing Units
Continue to monitor affordable, multi-family housing units in the Town to ensure that they retain
their affordability status.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: January 2023 to January 2031
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-3.1)
L Rental Housing Conservation Program
The Town’s existing multi-family, privately-owned rental units provide housing opportunities for
households of varied income levels. The Town will continue to implement Section 29.20.155 of
the Town Code that addresses conversions of residential use, specifically Section
29.20.155(a)(2) that requires that any proposed conversion satisfy the housing goals and policies
as set forth in the General Plan.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: January 2023 to January 2031
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-3.2)
M CDBG and other Housing Rehabilitation Programs
Continue to participate in the County of Santa Clara Community Development Block Grant Joint
Powers Authority so Town residents can participate in County CDBG Housing Rehabilitation
programs.
The County of Santa Clara currently offers a rehabilitation program for lower income owner
occupied housing in participating Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) member communities such as
the Town of Los Gatos, and funds annual service grants for nonprofit service providers (e.g.
Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley, Rebuilding Together, etc.) who provide emergency
repair grants to lower income households. The Town of Los Gatos reviews its participation in the
Santa Clara County Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) Joint Powers
Authority every three-years prior to the expiration of the Agreement. Applicants for either the
Draft Housing Element
10-6 Draft Housing Element June 2022
County of Santa Clara program or the non-profit operated programs funded by the County CDBG
funds must live in JPA member communities.
Continue to disseminate information about other nonprofit rehabilitation programs to Town
residents and property owners. Strive to improve at least seven housing units through this
program.
Funding Source: General Fund
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: January 2023 to January 2031
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-3.3)
N Countywide Home Repair Programs
Continue to support countywide programs (Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley,
Rebuilding Together, Housing Trust of Santa Clara County, etc.) that provide assistance with
minor home repairs and accessibility improvements for lower income households, including
special needs households. The Town shall support annual funding requests submitted by
rehabilitation agencies to the County of Santa Clara and as needed provide local technical
assistance to nonprofits submitting funding applications to the County and/or eventually applying
for building permits through the Town’s Building Permit process. Town funding from its Below
Market Price monies may contribute to these programs . Funding is provided directly by the
County of Santa Clara as authorized by the Board of Supervisors to the individual non-profit
service providers.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department; County of Santa Clara
Time Frame: January 2023 to January 2031
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-3.4 modified)
HE-3
Provide New Affordable Housing
Overall housing production has been too slow to keep pace with population growth over the past two decades.
This trend has increased demand on the supply side of housing and increased the cost of all housing. More
affordable housing is needed for extremely low, very low-, low-, and moderate-income households.
HE-3.1 Financial Resources
Pursue expanding financial resources to support the maximum amount of affordable housing, as
feasible, including those employed in the Town.
(Source: Formerly Policy HOU-1.1 modified)
HE-3.2 Mixed0Use Development
Encourage mixed–use developments that provide affordable housing close to employment
centers and/or transportation facilities, particularly along arterials , and in designated Community
Place Districts.
Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 10-7
(Source: Formerly Policy HOU-2.3 modified)
HE-3.3 Rental Housing
Strive to ensure that at least 30 percent of the housing stock is rental units and continue to
support the development of Accessory Dwelling Units as a means of affordable rental ho using.
(Source: Formerly Policy HOU-2.6 modified)
HE-3.4 Rental Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Ordinance
Long-term, low-income residents living in naturally affordable housing can quickly lose their
residence due to sudden rent increases or changes in property owners. To prevent evictions, the
Town shall study the Town’s Rental Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Ordinance, Ordinance
2128, within the context of AB 1482 (Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act), in an effort to help
further stabilize rents for long-term residents so they can remain in their neighborhoods.
(New)
HE-3.5 Regulatory Incentives for Affordable Housing
Facilitate the development of affordable housing through regulatory incentives and concessions,
and/or financial assistance. Continue expediting the permit processing for affordable residential
development applications and proactively seek out new models and approaches in the provision
of affordable housing.
(Source: Formerly Policy HOU-6.1 modified)
HE-3.6 Senior Housing
Support development and maintenance of affordable senior rental and ownership housing and
continue to work with existing senior lifestyle living and assisted living facilities in Los Gatos.
(Source: Formerly Policy HOU-5.3 modified)
HE-3.7 Equal Housing and Special Needs
Support the provision of permanent, affordable, and accessible housing that allows persons with
special needs to live independent lives. For the purposes of this Housing Element “persons with
special needs” include extremely low-income households, the elderly, overcrowded and large-
family households, the homeless population, those in need of emergency shelter, youth aging out
of foster care, female-headed or single-parent households, and persons with disabilities, including
developmental challenges.
(Source: Formerly Policy HOU-6.4)
HE-3.8 Public/Private Partnerships
Work with and support collaborative partnerships with nonprofit agencies and housing developers
to plan and develop a mix of affordable housing opportunities in Los Gatos using available
funding.
(Source: Formerly Policy HOU-1.2 modified)
HE-3 Implementation Programs
O Below Market Price (BMP) Program
The Town shall conduct a study to evaluate the existing Program and recommend changes to the
program to increase the number of units constructed. The study will include evaluation of the
implementation of the BMP Program to date, including impacts to market rate housing related to
current market conditions, project applications, estimated affordable housing requirements, fee
Draft Housing Element
10-8 Draft Housing Element June 2022
collection, and actual construction of affordable housing units to address constraints based on the
outcome of the evaluation.
The BMP Program is currently applicable to discretionary applications with five or more
residential units.
In addition to developer provided units, the BMP Program also permits the payment of BMP
Housing In-lieu Fees equivalent to six percent of the market rate unit building permit valuation.
This is the primary source of revenue for the Town’s Affordable Housing Fund.
Funding Source: Town Affordable Housing Fund
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department, Housing Authority of the County
of Santa Clara
Time Frame: Complete study by June 2025 and implement recommended actions by
December 2028.
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-1.1 and 1.4)
P Funds for Development for Extremely Low Income (ELI) Households
Continue to encourage the creation of housing that is affordable to extremely low-income
households by allocating a percentage of the Town Affordable Housing (Below Market Price)
Fund to subsidize housing for extremely low-income households and as part of the Town’s annual
budget process provide a priority for funding ELI developments that ma y be submitted to the
Town with the Town’s Below Market Price (BMP) monies. Update the allocation as recommended
by the BMP study. Additionally, provide staff technical assistance with the preparation of Tax
Credit or grant funding applications or conducting local Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act
(TEFRA) hearings to facilitate the financing of proposed housing projects in Los Gatos.
Funding Source: Town Affordable Housing Fund
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: On-going. Continue to allocate a percentage of the Town Affordable
Housing Fund within the 2023 to 2031 period and provide technical
assistance as needed.
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-1.6 modified)
Q Accessory Dwelling Units
The Town has a very successful Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) program that has provided
affordable rental housing opportunities for many years. To further incentivize construction of
ADUs, building fees will be waived if the ADU is deed restricted for Very Low- and Low-income
households.
Funding Source: Below Market Price (BMP) Housing In-lieu Fees
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: Develop incentive program by June 2025.
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-1.2 modified)
R Density Bonus
The Town shall conduct a study to evaluate the existing Density Bonus Ordinance and
recommend changes to increase the number of units constructed. The current Ordinance
provides up to a 100 percent density bonus for developments that include housing fo r elderly,
Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 10-9
handicapped, and/or very low- and low-income households. The study will include an evaluation
of the implementation of the ordinance to date and actual construction of affordable housing units
that utilized the Density Bonus. The study shall recommend improvements to the Ordinance
based on the outcome of the evaluation.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: Complete study by June 2026 and implement recommended actions by
December 2029.
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-1.3 modified)
S Affordable Housing Overlay Zone
This existing overlay zone is intended to increase the supply and mix of housing types, tenure,
and affordability. Through appropriate densities, concessions, and fee deferrals or waivers, the
affordable housing overlay zone encourages the development of housing affordable to all income
levels on property within the Town that was selected appropriate for such uses. The property on
Knowles Avenue, adjacent to Los Gatos Creek, is a key site for a mixed income affordable
housing project.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: Development of AHOZ property by 2031
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-2.1, 2.2, and 2.4 modified)
T Nonprofit Affordable Housing Providers
Support the efforts of nonprofit affordable housing organizations that provide housing services in
Los Gatos. Encourage the participation of these providers in developing housing and meeting the
affordable housing needs of Los Gatos households particularly extremely low -income
households. Meet with nonprofit groups on at least a quarterly basis to develop strategies and
actions for affordable housing development. Provide similar incentives for the development of
affordable housing as provided under the Affordable Housing Overlay Zone.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: Quarterly January 2023 to January 2031
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-4.6 and 1.5 modified)
U Increased Range of Housing Opportunities of the Homeless
Continue to support the County of Santa Clara’s Continuum of Care plan, as well as the “Housing
1000” campaign by Destination: Home to provide housing opportunities for homeless households
including emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent affordable housing
opportunities.
Funding Source: County CDBG
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: January 2023 to January 2031
Draft Housing Element
10-10 Draft Housing Element June 2022
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-4.7)
V Reasonable Accommodation Ordinance
Continue to enforce Section 29.10.505–530 of the Town Code to ensure equal access to housing
for persons with disabilities under the Fair Housing Act and provide specific procedures for
requesting and granting reasonable accommodations. Review annually for trends and develop
new procedures and/or materials in response to annual review.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: Annually January 2023 to January 2031
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-6.2)
W Persons with Disabilities Accessibility
Encourage residential development that incorporates accessible design features to meet the
needs of as many users as possible. The intent is to reduce the potential for occupants to be
displaced from their homes due to disability, to allow those persons to visit neighboring dwelling
units, and to increase to number of ADUs in the local housing supply that meet long term housing
needs. Remove identified regulatory constraints to housing for persons with disabilities.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: Review and update regulations as necessary; at least every three years .
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-6.3 modified)
X Special Needs Housing
Give priority to special needs housing by allowing for reduced processing time and streamlined
procedures for such appropriate zoning/land use applications. Include preferential handling of
special needs populations in management plans and regulatory agreements of funded projects.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: January 2023 to January 2031
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-6.4 and 6.5 modified)
Y Rental Dispute Resolution Program
Continue the administration of the Rental Dispute Resolution Program and consider revisions as
necessary to make the program as effective as possible in protecting both tenant and landlord
rights.
Funding Source: Program fees
Responsible Agencies: Community Services Department
Time Frame: January 2023 to January 2031
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-4.2)
Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 10-11
Z Rental Assistance for Persons with Developmental Challenges
Work with local and/or regional partners to provide rental assistance for persons with
developmental challenges. Efforts will include the following:
◼ Work with the California Department of Developmental Services local Regional Center to
identify the housing needs specific to developmentally challenged persons residing in Los
Gatos and assist in identifying available housing that meets those needs.
◼ Encourage qualifying Regional Center clients residing in Los Gatos to apply for appropriate
rental assistance programs.
◼ Identify outside funding sources, such as regional or state programs, that could provide rental
assistance for developmentally challenged persons living in Los Gatos.
◼ Make referrals to non-profit service providers with rental assistance or rental voucher
programs such as West Valley Community Services and the Housing Authority of Santa
Clara County.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department, California Department of
Developmental Services,
Time Frame: Annually follow up on a periodic basis with service providers to
determine outcomes for referrals and update referral process and
timelines accordingly 2023-2031 period.
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-6.6 modified)
AA Supportive Services for the Homeless
Continue to provide support for community and nonprofit organizations providing supportive
services for homeless persons in Los Gatos.
The Town of Los Gatos currently funds an annual grant and disseminates opportunities for other
agency funding to West Valley Community Services (WVCS) which provides a Comprehensive
Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP). The CEAP includes the following services:
◼ Rental assistance to prevent homelessness
◼ Assistance to prevent eviction
◼ Deposit assistance to house un-housed persons
◼ Utility assistance to prevent utility shut off
Funding Source: Town of Los Gatos
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: January 2023 to January 2031
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-4.4)
AB Stabilize Rents
Long-term, low-income residents living in naturally affordable housing can quickly lose their
residence due to sudden rent increases or changes in property owners. To prevent evictio ns and
displacement, the Town shall study and implement recommendations to the Town’s Rental
Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Ordinance 2128 to help further stabilize rents for long-term
residents.
Draft Housing Element
10-12 Draft Housing Element June 2022
(New)
HE-4
Encourage Green Building and Energy Conservation
The Town is dedicated to addressing and mitigating climate change impacts and strives to be a leader in
sustainable development. The General Plan promotes environmentally sound and socially equitable de velopment
by encouraging residential construction that promotes sustainable building and energy conservation practices.
HE-4.1 Green Building
Encourage sustainable housing development throughout the Town by fostering awareness and
encouraging the adoption of green building practices.
(Formerly Policy HOU-7.1 and modified)
HE-4.2 Solar Energy
Promoting more efficient energy use and renewable energy reduces the strain on the existing
energy grid and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Implement Draft 2040 General Plan Policy
ENV-9.6 to promote energy conservation by encouraging installation of fixture and appliance
upgrades, installation of solar panels, and other retrofits to existing structures.
(Placeholder from Draft 2040 General Plan)
HE-4 Implementation Programs
AC Energy Conservation Opportunities
Continue to enforce State of California Title 24 requirements for energy conservation.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: January 2023 to January 2031
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-7.1)
AD Solar Energy
Continue to expedite solar panel installation by requiring only ministerial building permits.
Simplify the process to install solar panels by eliminating discretionary permits provides certainty,
reduces fees and timelines.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: January 2023 to January 2031
(New)
AE Green Building
Implement Draft 2040 General Plan Implementation Program 8.12.AA Green Building Initiatives
to develop an incentive program to encourage individual and businesses to complete green
Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 10-13
retrofits on properties through incentives such as tax credits and financing opportunities. Retrofits
also provide an opportunity to address ongoing maintenance and upkeep of residential buildings.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: January 2024
(Placeholder from Draft 2040 General Plan Update)
HE-5
Housing Needs and Resources
Many programs that address housing access and affordability for lower income households are supported by the
Town and its partners; however, many people who need these resources have trouble finding them. It is also
important for the Town to proactively inform residents about housing needs and resources, particularly related to
Fair Housing issues.
HE-5.1 Fair Housing
Support and publicize housing programs that protect individuals’ rights and enforce fair housing
laws prohibiting arbitrary discrimination in the building, financing, selling or renting of housing on
the basis of race, religion, family status, national origin, physically disability or other such factors.
(Source: Formerly Policy HOU-4.1 modified)
HE-5.2 Financial Assistance
Continue to encourage Los Gatos households to participate in financial assistance programs
provided in the County of Santa Clara.
(Source: Formerly Policy HOU-4.3)
HE-5.3 Housing for Persons with Special Needs
Continue to provide assistance to service providers who support special needs households and
the homeless such as Project Sentinel, Santa Clara County Housing Authority, and Santa Clara
County Office of Supportive Housing. Support and publicize efforts and resources to provide
coordinated services for persons with special needs in the Town.
(Source: Formerly Policy HOU-4.2 and 6.5 modified)
HE-5.4 Town Outreach
Foster Town wide discussion on housing needs, resources, and ideas to improve communication
channels and methods for meaningful dialogue.
(New)
HE-5 Impleme ntation Programs
AF Town Housing Resources Guide
Continue to provide a guide to developments that include affordable housing units as part of the
Housing Resources Guide posted on the Town’s website, and available at Town Hall, the library
and other Town facilities.
Draft Housing Element
10-14 Draft Housing Element June 2022
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: Update list annually
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-4.1 modified)
AG Santa Clara County Fair Housing Consortium
Support the efforts of the Santa Clara County Fair Housing Consortium. Continue to make
referrals through Project Sentinel and provide updated fair housing information on the Town’s
website and at public locations through the Town, such as the Adult Recreation Center, library,
Farmer’s Market and public kiosks. These organizations provide resources for Los Gatos
residents with tenant/landlord, housing discrimination, and fair housing concerns. Each
organization conducts outreach including community education presentations, distributed flyers,
and referral calls.
Project Sentinel is a member of the Consortium and is the Town’s contract service administrator
for the Town’s Rental Dispute Resolution Program. Through its on-going partnership with Project
Sentinel Town staff is able to attend the Consortiums annual Fair Housing Sympo sium, receive
training, and disseminates Fair Housing information (including how to contact Consortium
agencies for assistance) to members of the public who contact the Town about a potential Fair
Housing related matter.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: January 2023 to January 2031
(Source: Formerly Acton HOU-4.5 modified)
AH Senior Housing Resources
Provide regularly updated senior housing resource materials at the Adult Recreation Center,
library, and other public events.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department
Time Frame: Update materials annually
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-5.1 modified)
AI Developmental Challenges
Continue to work with the local California Department of Developmental Services Regional
Center to continue to proactively inform families within Los Gatos on housing and services
available for persons with developmental challenges. This outreach program will include an
informational brochure and information on the Town’s website for individuals and families.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department, California Department of
Developmental Services
Time Frame: Update materials annually
(Source: Formerly Action HOU-6.9 modified)
Housing Element
June 2022 Draft Housing Element 10-15
AJ Use a Variety of Communication Methods
Frequently, residents and the community are unaware of available housing resources. The Town
shall use a variety of communication methods across media, technological, and traditional in
person outreach methods, such as the Farmer’s Market, library, and community center, with a
particular focus on reaching the very low- and low-income demographic and those who may not
have access to online resources.
Funding Source: None required
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department, California Department of
Developmental Services
Time Frame: Quarterly January 2023 to January 2031
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From: Kenneth Rosales
Sent: Wednesday, June 8, 2022 10:46 PM
Cc: Mathew Reed
Subject: Making Housing Elements Work through State Enforcement
EXTERNAL SENDER
Good Evening Honorable Mayor, Councilmembers, and City Staff,
Your jurisdiction is either preparing for the release or is reviewing the first draft of your 6th Cycle Draft
Housing Element before it is submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community
Development (HCD) for initial review. As you may have heard, the vast majority of cities in the first
rounds of submissions have received substantial comments from HCD outlining deficiencies and are
being required to complete additional work to adjust and improve their housing elements so that they
move into compliance. We believe this current moment presents an opportunity to assess working
drafts with an eye on how the HCD review team has described some common issues they have
observed. As of April 2022, jurisdictions in three major regions had submitted their “final” Housing
Elements by their given deadlines but have continued to work with HCD on developing compliant
Housing Element Updates:
• The San Diego Association of Governments’ Housing Element deadline was on April 15, 2021, of
which only 7 of 19 jurisdictions were in compliance;
• The Southern California Association of Governments’ deadline was on October 15, 2021, of which
only 7 of 197 jurisdictions were in compliance; and
• The Sacramento Council of Governments’ Housing Element deadline was on May 15, 2021, of which
only 17 of 28 jurisdictions were in compliance.
On March 25, 2022, SV@Home hosted a discussion during our monthly Housing Action Coalition event
with David Zisser and Melinda Coy, HCD’s leadership for the Housing Element review team,
titled “Making Housing Elements Work through State Enforcement” (click here). David and Melinda
discussed how they will enforce Housing Element law and provided local advocates guidance on what
they can do to help jurisdictions meet Housing Element requirements. Therefore, we would like to share
the event recording and presentation slides as resources for your jurisdiction to use as you draft,
publish, edit, and submit your Draft Housing Elements to HCD (available here). We have included time
stamps on key topics within the webpage to make it easier to navigate the recording.
HCD reinforced the fact that they no longer consider the Housing Element Update to be a paper
exercise, but instead a contract between jurisdictions and the state on housing commitments for eight-
and-a-half years. To this end, HCD’s new Housing Accountability Unit will be monitoring implementation
and will hold jurisdictions to the commitments laid out in the Housing Element’s plan. The following are
key take-aways from HDC’s presentation, which we felt were particularly useful to consider as drafts are
being finalized and reviewed:
ATTACHMENT 5
• Most Common and Overarching Concerns - HCD has found that Housing Elements overwhelmingly
describe but do not analyze the data that is provided.
Whenever data is included into Housing Elements, they want jurisdictions to ask themselves: What does
the data mean? How are these assumptions supported?
Further, HCD discussed they would like jurisdictions to “show their work” for the conclusions that are
drawn, to avoid assumptions, and to use their analyses as tools that guide solutions, rather than simply
explaining existing conditions. In this way, the various sections (e.g. needs assessment, sites inventory,
constraints, etc.) should be reflective of and inform each other.
• Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) - HCD is looking for an analysis of patterns and trends -
a story about the jurisdiction over time and how it has changed - rather than a demographic “data
dump”.
They provided an example of what jurisdictions can ask themselves when providing their analyses: has
our community become more diverse? Less diverse? Where are the areas of poverty and how have they
evolved? How does this help to highlight the housing needs of each jurisdiction?
HCD would also like to see strategies for how local jurisdictions can “move the needle” (i.e. make
progress) and assess whether the metrics and milestones of their actions will be successful in eight-and-
a-half years.
They recommended jurisdictions review the City of Sacramento’s Housing Element on how AFFH can be
adequately addressed and the City of Folsom’s Housing Element for a good example of AFFH in a high
resourced community.
• AFFH: High-resourced and Lower-resourced neighborhoods - Under AFFH guidelines, it is important
to add affordable housing opportunities throughout the jurisdiction. They clarified, however, that
AFFH is also about providing community development options or programs to increase resources in
low-resourced areas, preventing displacement, and increasing housing opportunities in terms of
both sites and mobility.
• Site Inventory - HCD recommended jurisdictions provide supporting data to the selection of their
sites, including the underlying assumptions to pick a site, such as development trends and
substantive site-specific analysis.
When choosing sites, HCD suggested that a discussion of the selection process be included, answering:
Why were the factors that shaped the process chosen, and how did those assumptions relate to
answering the question: “is this a development opportunity within the planning period?”
For non-vacant sites, they mentioned jurisdictions should specifically provide substantial evidence that
an existing use is likely to be discontinued. Such evidence could include: 1) site specific information on
whether the use will be discontinued in an eight-and-a-half year period and explain the factors leading
to that conclusion, 2) what market and development trends are there to support discontinued use, and
3) what programs and actions could be taken by the jurisdiction to address the constraints that might
impede the redevelopment of non-vacant sites.
Further, HCD expects site inventories to be responsive to the AFFH analysis, rather than be considered
independent.
• Governmental and Market Constraints to the Development of Housing - HCD discussed that
constraints are to be analyzed and assessed for their potential impact, rather than simply noted
and/or justified.
They also advised jurisdictions to consider the perspective of a potential developer and ask: how does
the range of development standards, processing fees, various impact fees, etc. affect the development
of housing? How long does it take to get planning and construction approvals, and what are the
additional costs? What are the points of discretionary uncertainty in the process? Are there systems in
place to process streamlined applications? How might substantial or minor changes in these elements of
the development process have the cumulative impact of facilitating more development in your
jurisdiction?
HCD delved into the need of a thorough assessment and a clear timeline for developing concrete policy
or program changes in response to these analyzed constraints rather than referencing on-going or
future assessments that need to be conducted. They want to see studies made within the Housing
Element Update itself to construct a policy or program rather than prescribing a “study” as the policy or
program itself.
Importantly, HCD recommended that the constraints analysis be reflected in the assessment of site-
specific conditions that are identified in the site inventory.
• Programs and Policies - HCD explained how jurisdictions should present clear prioritization and provide
specific actions and timelines for each policy and program, along with clearly explaining what a
jurisdiction will do to make implementation more realistic and feasible.
They suggested jurisdictions avoid the use of general language like “explore”, “consider'', “evaluate”, or
“study”. Instead, HCD would like to see a detailed discussion about what exactly is going to be explored,
what will be done, to what end, and what the outcome(s) would be. HCD gave the example of replacing
language such as "will explore providing incentives" with "we will develop an incentives program that
will reduce fees/provide cost savings".
Moreover, HCD deliberated on how a jurisdiction’s policies and programs should build on the
assessment of existing measures and go beyond previous cycles. Policies and programs should support
the narrative in the housing needs and development constraints analysis and be responsive to additional
requirements of the AFFH analysis.
• Funding - HCD detailed how they will not accept the rationale that the lack of subsidies for
affordable housing development is an insurmountable impediment to fulfilling housing
commitments. Instead, they advised jurisdictions to find ways to spur development through land
use reforms and additional financing mechanisms. These might include adopting a strong local
density bonus program, an inclusionary housing ordinance with a robust in-lieu fee structure, or
other impact fees as a mechanism to support affordable housing development. HCD also
recommended looking into ways of lowering costs by deferring or waiving fees and taxes.
• Non-Compliant Housing Elements - HCD cautioned that jurisdictions with non-compliant Housing
Elements will be ineligible for, or face delays in receiving, state funding. Jurisdictions would also be
unable to use inconsistent zoning/general plan standards to deny affordable housing projects, and
could be subject to additional legal ramifications and fines.
• Implementation of RHNA through the 6th Cycle - HCD re-emphasized that jurisdictions are required
to monitor and adjust their site inventories to sustain capacity for their housing allocation
throughout the planning period.
• Enforcement - HCD will review actions and inactions submitted in the Annual Progress Report by
local jurisdictions and they will take action on jurisdictions that are inconsistent with their Housing
Elements. HCD will also respond to public complaints if a jurisdiction's actions are in violation with
state law.
We appreciate that additional guidance has been made available from multiple sources, including
ABAG/MTC and the Santa Clara County Planning Collaborative - they have been instrumental in guiding
us all through this complicated process. We know that the Housing Element Update has been a
significant undertaking and that the HCD review process has been less central to the public and council’s
engagement to date. We hope that this letter provides constructive insight into what HCD will likely
highlight and that it further enables local engagement throughout the next phases of the Housing
Element process. We also hope that meaningful public participation will continue to be a priority as
feedback is received from the state and incorporated into future drafts.
We appreciate your continued coordination on this Housing Element journey and we look forward to
deepening our engagement as we move closer to January 2023.
Best,
Kenneth Rosales (He/Him)
Planning Senior Associate| SV@Home
#ReimaginingHome Learn more about Affordable Housing Month 2022