City staff in several departments work on efforts surrounding San José’s housing supply. In 2018, the City Council approved a Housing Catalyst program and team to unify and coordinate these efforts.

Housing Catalyst Team - The team comprises staff from:

• Business Development Division of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs
• Citywide Planning Division of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department
• Policy and Planning Team of Housing Department
• Residential Development Division of Housing Department
• Planning Team of Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department

The team meets biweekly to facilitate strategies, programs, and policies relating to housing.

Work Plan - For the 2018-2022 period, the team worked on a council-approved Housing Crisis Work Plan. In June 2023, the City Council approved a newer Housing Catalyst Work Plan, which draws on the experience and lessons learned from the earlier Housing Crisis Work Plan. The newer plan outlines the strategies, programs, and policies from the City’s 2023-2031 Housing Element and facilitates implementation of the Housing Element. These activities are either currently underway or may be initiated between 2024-2026. 

Annual Updates & Report 

The Housing Catalyst Team provides updates in the spring and fall to the Community and Economic Development Committee and the City Council; this coincides with the Housing Element Annual Progress Report. The updates include providing a report on housing production and tasks within the workplan.

Timeline - Housing Catalyst Work Plan

• June 20, 2023 – City Council adopts the 2023-2031 Housing Element, with strategies to facilitate the production and preservation of housing units in San José and meet the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of producing 62,200 units by 2031.
• June 26, 2023 – Staff present the initial Work Plan to the Community and Economic Development Committee. Read the status report memorandum.
• August 22, 2023 - City Council accepts the report on the Work Plan and directs staff to return with a regular report on near-term work items. View the August 22, 2023 Memorandum.
• January 29, 2024 – State Housing and Community Development certifies the San Jose’s 2023-2031 Housing Element.
• February 26, 2024 - February 26, 2024 – Staff present the Housing Catalyst Team Work Plan status report to the Community and Economic Development Committee.
• March 19, 2024 - City Council accepts the report on the Work Plan.

View the Housing Catalyst Work Plan Dashboard for details on  work items and defined impact/effort levels.

Housing Catalyst Work Plan Dashboard