This email is dedicated to the Housing Element and how it relates to affordable housing. As I have outlined previously (please see my newsletter from 5/23/21), per State law, the City of Menlo Park must update its Housing Element, the chapter of its General Plan that outlines how Menlo Park will meet our existing and projected housing needs.
The City has been holding community meetings to engage the public and gain feedback about possible strategies to meet the State requirement. The next meeting is Thursday, September 23rd at 6:30pm and at that time City staff will share information on preliminary strategies to meet housing needs in Menlo Park and provide an opportunity to hear from the community on how and where new housing should be located.
To help prepare you for this meeting, I have created a video that walks through key aspects of the Housing Element and that explores the scale of the challenge that the City of Menlo Park faces, specifically as it relates to affordable housing. The video is meant to be illustrative and informative. It is my hope that the viewer will finish the video with a greater understanding of the topic, and will be better positioned to access this complicated information, ask important questions and weigh trade-offs.
Thank you for you engagement.
Sincerely,
Jen
P.S. You can also stay informed about all things Housing Element-related at www.menlopark.org/he.
Jen Walks Through the Housing Element
and How it Relates to Affordable Housing
To access the presentation slides reviewed in the video, click here.
Upcoming Housing Element Meetings
There are three upcoming opportunities for members of the public to learn more about and weigh in on the Housing Element:
Thursday, September 23rd at 6:30pm - Community Meeting. City staff will share information on preliminary strategies to meet housing needs in Menlo Park and provide an opportunity to hear from the community on how and where new housing should be located.. For more information, and a link to join this event, visit https://www.menlopark.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=7717&month=9&year=2021&day=23&calType=0.
Early October (Tentative, Date TBD) - Joint Housing Commission/Planning Commission Meeting
Late October (Tentative, Date TBD) - City Council Meeting
Agendas for the Housing Commission/Planning Commission and City Council meetings will be posted on the city's website 72 hours before the meeting dates. I will also continue to keep you informed via this newsletter. You can also stay informed about all things Housing Element-related at www.menlopark.org/he.
