Revised plan to address city housing needs is finished, heading to state

The city’s latest plan to address future housing needs is headed off for state review this week, but you can view it now.

Driving the news: The revised draft housing element of the updated Palm Springs General Plan was made available earlier this month. Contained within the 200-page document — which you can read here — is the official plan for addressing the housing needs of both our residents and workforce through 2029. 

• Last updated in 2014, the housing element is a crucial part of the city’s overall General Plan, which is being partially revised. The process kicked off in 2021 with a series of community meetings.
• The state reviewed the housing element and returned it to the city with roughly one dozen requested changes. Those changes are now incorporated and will be submitted back to the state on Tuesday.

Why it matters: General plans focus on long-term goals and look at least 20 years into the future. The City Council and Planning Commission use goals in the plan to make decisions regarding land use, housing, mobility, infrastructure, and open space and parks needs.

• If the city sees a sudden population boom, as it last experienced in the 1940s, some estimates show up to 20,000 more housing units could be needed by 2040.

Details: The document contains recommendations for the city to explore an inclusionary housing policy, encourage accessory dwelling units, and facilitate the conversion of hotels and motels to apartments.

• Also noted was the changing demographics of Palm Springs: Over the past eight years, the city’s population has continued to age, leading to an increase in one-person households and a decrease in larger households — typically families with children. 

Next up: A steering committee working on the General Plan will meet again in April. When available, the agenda will be posted on the city website dedicated to providing details about the process and all documentation.

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