(a) For the fourth and subsequent revisions of the housing element pursuant to Section 65588, the existing and projected need for housing may be determined for each region by the department as follows, as an alternative to the process pursuant to Section 65584.01:
(1) In a region in which at least one subregion has accepted delegated authority pursuant to Section 65584.03, the region’s housing need shall be determined at least 26 months prior to the housing element update deadline pursuant to Section 65588. In a region in which no subregion has accepted delegation pursuant to Section 65584.03, the region’s housing need shall be determined at least 24 months prior to the housing element deadline.
(2) At least six months prior to the department’s determination of regional housing need pursuant to paragraph (1), a council of governments may request the use of population and household forecast assumptions used in the regional transportation plan. This request shall include all of the following:
(A) Proposed data and assumptions for factors contributing to housing need beyond household growth identified in the forecast. These factors shall include allowance for vacant or replacement units, and may include other adjustment factors.
(B) A proposed planning period that is not longer than the period of time covered by the regional transportation improvement plan or plans of the region pursuant to Section 14527, but a period not less than five years, and not longer than six years.
(C) A comparison between the population and household assumptions used for the Regional Transportation Plan with population and household estimates and projections of the Department of Finance.
(b) The department shall consult with the council of governments regarding requests submitted pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a). The department may seek advice and consult with the Demographic Research Unit of the Department of Finance, the State Department of Transportation, a representative of a contiguous council of governments, and any other party as deemed necessary. The department may request that the council of governments revise data, assumptions, or methodology to be used for the determination of regional housing need, or may reject the request submitted pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a). Subsequent to consultation with the council of governments, the department will respond in writing to requests submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).
(c) If the council of governments does not submit a request pursuant to subdivision (a), or if the department rejects the request of the council of governments, the determination for the region shall be made pursuant to Sections 65584 and 65584.01.
(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 728, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2009.)