This webinar, part of the Regional Housing Technical Assistance Training series, was co-produced by the California Office of Planning and Research (OPR) on July 27, 2021. The webinar presented ways to integrate resilience into Housing Element updates. The presentations offer ways to reduce housing risks from wildfire, flooding, earthquakes and other climate impacts with presentations from OPR and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Staff from ABAG/Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) presented a 4-step approach to integrate resilience into a housing element update process. In addition to the webinar recording and presentations, the companion 4-step approach, complete with a starter instruction guide are also below.
Webinar Recording
Webinar Presentation
Download the "Climate Adaptation/Resilience in Housing Element" Webinar Presentation.
- Introduction (video 00:00-04:20, slides 1-4)
- Erik de Kok, State Office of Planning and Research (video 04:20-14:30, slides 5-11): “Housing and Climate Resilience—Setting the Stage,” provided a landscape for how cities can think about housing and climate change planning goals.
- Cathy Kungu, California Department of Housing and Community Development (video 14:30-31:05, slides 12-24) “Lessons Learned from California Wildfire Recovery,” provided overview of housing impacts in recent wildfires, HCD’s role in recovery, and the need to integrate resilience with housing plans.
- Michael Germeraad, Rachael Hartofelis, and Carrie Simmons, MTC/ý(video 31:05-1:06:13, slides 25-57)
- “Resilient Housing Element Tools and Resources,” provide a four step approach, with corresponding resources to integrate resilience into an housing element.
- Wrap Up (video 1:06:13-1:12:08, slides 58-62)
Start Here: Resilient Housing Instruction Guide
Download the instruction guide with self-guided questions to walk you through the four-step approach.
Step 1: Integrated Planning Briefer
View the Integrated Planning Briefer, a 5-page review of resilience planning legislation, status, considerations and resources. The briefer includes:
- California resilience planning legislation and implications for Bay Area cities
- Framing upcoming Bay Area resilience planning
- Key considerations for addressing multiple planning requirements
- Annotated Bibliography of California resilience planning resources.
Step 2: Existing Housing Exposure Data Tables
Download the Existing Housing Exposure Data Tables - jurisdiction-specific data tables that estimate the number of existing residential parcels exposed to flooding, sea level rise and wildfire hazards.
Step 3: Housing Element Site Selection (HESS) Tool
The HESS Tool includes natural hazard and climate impact layers to assist jurisdictions in considering the siting of future housing.
Log in to access the HESS tool at
Step 4: Resilient Housing Policy Document
Download the Resilient Housing Policy Document, which includes sample policies that could be incorporated into a Housing Element update to reduce natural hazard risks and climate impacts.
Staff Contact
Michael Germeraad
Email: mgermeraad@bayareametro.gov