Dan J. Harkey

Master Educator | Business & Finance Consultant | Mentor

AB-1275: Aligning Housing and Transportation Planning for Sustainable Growth- Quik Read

by Dan J. Harkey

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Summary:

California’s housing crisis and transportation challenges are deeply interconnected.  Assembly Bill 1275 (AB 1275), authored by Assemblymember Sade Elhawary, represents a significant policy shift: integrating Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) with regional transportation planning to promote coordinated, climate-friendly development.  This is a collective effort, and your participation is crucial.

Background

Under existing Law:

  • Cities and counties must adopt a general plan that includes a housing element.
  • The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) determines regional housing needs in consultation with Councils of Governments (COGs), which are regional planning bodies, at least two years before housing element updates.
  • Regional transportation agencies prepare Regional Transportation Plans (RTPs), including Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS), to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Historically, these processes operated in silos, creating mismatches between housing growth and transportation infrastructure.  AB 1275 closes that gap.  

Key Provisions of AB 1275

✅ Extended Planning Timeline

  • HCD must determine existing and projected housing needs three years (instead of two) before housing element updates.
  • The consultation with COGs has been extended from 26 months to 38 months, with updates scheduled accordingly.
  • Transitional timelines apply for 2027–2029 housing cycles.

✅ Integration with Transportation Planning

  • RHNA methodology must consider development patterns in the region’s SCS within the RTP.
  • The final RHNA plan must demonstrate that the SCS informs it and furthers RHNA objectives.

✅ Climate and Equity Factors

  • Requires consideration of job-housing balance, greenhouse gas reduction goals, and fair housing objectives.
  • Encourages housing near transit and job centers to reduce congestion and emissions.

✅ Public Participation and Data Transparency

  • Enhances requirements for stakeholder engagement in RHNA methodology development.
  • Expands data collection on household growth, vacancy rates, and transportation impacts.

Impact

  • Housing Supply Alignment: Ensures housing growth occurs where transportation infrastructure can support it.
  • Climate Goals: Supports California’s greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2035.
  • Regional Coordination: Promotes integrated planning across housing, jobs, and mobility.
  • Local Government Challenges: Requires ordinance updates and more complex planning processes.

Implementation Guide for Local Agencies

·       Update RHNA Methodologies

o   Incorporate SCS development patterns into allocation formulas.

·       Revise General Plans

o   Align housing elements with transportation strategies.

·       Enhance Public Engagement

o   Conduct outreach on integrated housing-transportation planning.

·       Prepare for Longer Timelines

o   Begin RHNA consultations earlier to meet new deadlines.

Bottom Line

AB 1275 is a structural reform that links housing and transportation planning—two pillars of sustainable urban development.  By aligning RHNA with RTPs, California aims to reduce sprawl, cut emissions, and create livable communities near jobs and transit.  This is a long-term vision for a sustainable, resilient California.