Consultant Services for the 7th Cycle Housing Element

County of Lake
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Consultant Services for the
7th Cycle Housing Element
RFP No. 272227
Issued: September 29, 2026
Submission Deadline: October 28, 2026
By: Lisa Judd, DCAO Housing
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1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 3
2. SCOPE OF SERVICES ......................................................................................... 5
3. COMPENSATION .............................................................................................. 15
4. PROPOSAL CONTENT .................................................................................................. 15
5. PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL .........................................................................................16
6. PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND AWARD ...................................................................17
7. PROTEST PROCEDURES ........................................................................................18
8. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS ......................................................................19
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1. INTRODUCTION. The County of Lake is inviting proposals for consulting services for the 7th
Cycle Housing Element. This Plan will be created with collaboration with County Staff and
Community Engagement.
The Housing Element must meet all HCD Housing Element requirements, be consistent with
goals and strategies outlined in the Housing Action and Implementation Plan (HAIP), the
current and draft updated General Plan, the Climate Adaptation Plan, and integrated the
proposed action items in the Prohousing Designation application.
Proposals should be submitted in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation,
which are contained herein.
Exhibits:
Exhibit A - Acronyms
Exhibit B - Scope of Services
Exhibit C - Fiscal Provisions
Exhibit D - Compliance Provisions
Exhibit E - 6th Cycle Housing Element
Exhibit F - APRs for 6th Cycle Housing Element
Exhibit G - Housing Action and Implementation Plan (HAIP)
Exhibit H - Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA)
Exhibit I - County of Lake Climate Adaptation Plan
Exhibit J - County of Lake Prohousing Designation Application
Exhibit K - Housing Element Completeness Checklist
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EXHIBIT "A" - ACRONYMNS
1) BOS: Board of Supervisors
2) CAO: County Administrative Officer
3) CDD: Community Development Department
4) DSS: Department of Social Services
5) DWR: Department of Water Resources
6) HE: Housing Element
7) ADU: Accessory Dwelling Unit
8) AFFH: Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
9) CEQUA: California Environmental Quality Act
10) CGS: California Geological Survey
11) DU: Dwelling Unit
12) EIR: Environmental Impact Report
13) EOP: Emergency Operations Plan
14) HAIP: Lake County Housing Action and Implementation Plan
15) HCD: California Department of Housing and Community Development
16) HH: Household
17) LHMP: Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
18) PC: Planning Commission
19) RHNA: Regional Housing Needs Allocation
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Exhibit B: SCOPE OF SERVICES.
1. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES.
The Housing Element must meet all HCD Housing Element requirements, be consistent with
goals and strategies outlined in the Housing Action and Implementation Plan, the current and
draft updated General Plan, the Climate Adaptation Plan, and integrated the proposed action
items in the Prohousing Designation application.
Task 1.1: Project Management and Timeline.
This task includes overall coordination and collaboration with County of Lake Staff and HCD
to ensure timely preparation, review, and adoption of the Housing Element:
Provide and maintain a shared, cloud-based project management system accessible
to County staff.
Proactively track and manage schedule, budget, and deliverables, including
identifying risks, resolving issues, and keeping the project on track with minimal staff
direction.
Maintain a log of key policy decisions, assumptions, and direction from staff/decision-
makers.
Track any content that originates from the Housing Action and Implementation Plan
that is used in the Housing Element.
Subtasks:
(a) Kick-off Meeting.
Conduct a project kickoff meeting to review scope, schedule, roles, and communication
protocols and review expectations for ongoing coordination with County staff, including
regular progress meetings and calls/emails.
(b) Proposed Policy Completion Schedule.
Ensure that the applicant has completed or agrees to complete, on or before the relevant
statutory deadlines or request an extension with HCD that will be required should statutory
deadlines not be met. The schedule should include milestones, deliverables, meetings,
review periods, structured to adopt a compliant 7th Cycle Housing Element and submit to
HCD by HCD's deadline for the County of Lake Housing Element 7th Cycle deadline, August
15,2027.
TASK 1.2: Requisite Analysis. Government Code section 65588, subdivision (a)
This task details the effectiveness of the previous Housing Element and should provide a
description of the actual results or outcomes of the prior Housing Element's goals,
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objectives, policies and programs. The Contractor may reference Annual General Plan
progress reports as required by Government Code Section 65400(b)(1) as part of this task.
Subtasks:
(a) Quantify results of the previous Housing Element wherever possible and provide
qualitative analysis where necessary.
(b) Describe progress in implementation listed for each program to compare significant
differences between what was projected or planned and what was achieved.
(C) Lessons Learned: provide analysis where appropriate goals , objectives, policies and
programs to describe what has been learned based on the progress and effectiveness of the
previous housing element.
(d) Special Needs Population Analysis: A description of how past programs were effective in
addressing the housing needs of the special populations. This analysis can be done as part of
describing the effectiveness of the program pursuant to (2) if the jurisdiction has multiple
programs to specifically address housing needs of special needs populations or if specific
programs were not included, provide a summary of the cumulative results of the programs in
addressing the housing need terms of units or services by special need group.
(e) Note any shortfall of sites from the 6th Cycle planning period. AB1233
TASK 1.3: Public Participation/ Community Outreach.
The goal is to provide inclusive engagement, collect meaningful data, and build community
understanding of housing issues, requirements, tradeoffs, so that input is informed and
supports community ownership of the plan and process and meets the requirements as
outlined by HCD. The Community Engagement for the HAIP may be used where appropriate in
this section, however it is important to review and identify any community segments that may
need additional outreach and data must meet HCD requirements. Contractor must ensure
adherence of government code 65583(C)(9) to ensure that a diligent effort was made to include
the participation of all economic segments of the community. Community engagement efforts
should reflect a deliberate effort to incorporate the engagement results collected over the last
three years through LakeCounty2050 efforts and fill in the gaps specific to the missing
feedback needed for this housing element.
Subtasks:
(a) Branding and materials: Develop branding for the project and key messages, (project
overview, timeline, how to get involved, etc.) and preparing adaptable, reusable templates and
graphics for County use across platforms, designed for easy updating by staff.
(b) Online Engagement: Propose an option for regular online engagement, such as a website
and prepare materials so that community members can give feedback even if they are not able
to attend a community workshop.
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(c ) Community Workshops (up to 10) Prepare materials (presentations, activities, handouts)
for the community engagement to be outlined in a Community Engagement Plan.
(d) Targeted stakeholder engagement to include key stakeholders (renters, affordable housing
residents, developers, advocates, service providers, business organizations, community
groups, disability community, disadvantaged and underserved communities, etc.)
(e ) Site Inventory Outreach.
Develop materials and a strategy to solicit interest from property owners of underutilized non-
vacant sites in high-density and mixed-use districts for potential inclusion in the Housing
Element site inventory.
(f)Public Input Analysis and Documentation.
Review and analyze public input from all outreach efforts including but not limited to the HAIP
community engagement efforts, identify key themes, priorities and concerns.
(g) Administrative, Public, and Hearing Drafts of the Housing Element.
Contractor must assure compliance with government code 65585(b)(1) which allows for the
draft version of the Housing Element to be available for public comment for at least 30 days. If
any comments are received, the public comments in the draft revision prior to submitting it to
HCD. Subsequent draft revisions will be posted on County internet site for at least 10 business
days after the 30-day comment period has ended. For subsequent draft revisions the County
shall post a draft revision on its website and email a link of the draft revision to all individuals
and organizations that have previously requested notices relating to the County's Housing
Element at least seven days before submitting the draft revision to HCD.
(h) Housing Element narrative. Government Code section 65583, subdivision(c)(8))
Provide the description and documentation of "diligent efforts" that were made to "include all
economic segments of the community and their representatives in the development and
update of the housing element." Also include public input received and how that feedback was
used and incorporated into the housing element.
(i) SB 18 and AB 52 Tribal Consultation Letters. Adhere to SB 18 and AB 52 requirements and
provide any necessary documentation to be in compliance.
TASK 1.4: Housing Needs Assessment. Government Code section 65583, subdivision
(a)(1)(2) and section 65583.1, subdivision (d)
This task includes updating all required components of the Housing Needs Assessment
consistent with CA state law and HCD guidance to include population and employment trends,
household characteristics, overpayment by income and tenure, existing housing need for
extremely low-income households, projected housing needs (RHNA), housing stock
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conditions, and estimate the number of units in need of replacement and rehabilitation. This
includes analysis of current characteristics and trends over time as well as analyzing housing
needs including special needs populations consistent with HCD requirements (Government
code section 65583, subdivision (a)(7), including elderly households, persons with disabilities,
families, large households, farmworkers, female headed households, and persons
experiencing homelessness. This task must also address all housing needs to include but are
not limited to rental, mobile, and emergency shelters. (The research for the HAIP can be
utilized where appropriate and if it meets the requirements as outlined by HCD.)
Subtasks:
(a) Demographic and Employment Characteristics and Trends: To encompass trends in
population, households, income, employment and the type of housing units available.
(b) Housing Stock Characteristics: General information pertaining to the housing stock in Lake
County includes the total number of housing units in the unincorporated portions of Lake
County, vacancy rate , and owner-occupied versus renter-occupied housing units for the
County, incorporated cities and unincorporated communities.
(c ) Housing Conditions: Provides necessary conditions for developing and preserving an
adequate supply of housing including but not limited to housing affordable to seniors, housing
for families and workforce housing. Include the data and outcomes from the Housing Needs
Assessment completed by County of Lake Community Development Department in 2026, data
pertaining to manufactured home construction and ADU construction, conditions of
affordable housing and mobile/modular homes in Lake County.
(d) Housing Costs Compared to Ability to Pay:
1) Income levels. This section should address current income levels and ability to
pay for housing, data pertaining to housing costs in relation to gross income,
identify housing needs for special needs populations to include Senior
households, persons with disabilities, large households, single-headed
households, unhoused population, and farm workers.
2) Data pertaining to RHNA income levels. Analysis of the different income levels
as identified in the RHNA to include renters vs owners of each level, percent with
cost burden (at or above 30% of income), percent with severe cost burden
(greater than 50% of income), and total number of households.
3) Analyze specific housing cost components, including the cost of land,
constructions costs, and the availability of financing. Land costs should include
an estimate of the average cost or the range of costs per acre for a single-family
and multi-family-zoned developable parcels. Construction costs should
include typical construction costs that include materials and labor.
4) Consideration should be given to availability of financing which includes private
and government assistance programs. The financing should also include
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financing from private foundations, corporate sponsors, community
foundations and banks, insurance companies and local housing trust funds.
(e )Housing Stock at Risk of Conversion to Market Rates: Identify current affordable housing
stock and identify housing stock at risk of conversion and strategies to preserve this housing
stock. Government Code section 65583, subdivision (a)(9). See "Preserving Existing
Affordable Housing": https://www.hcd.ca.gov/policy research/preserving-existing-
affordable-housing.shtml
1) Provide an inventory of units at-risk of conversion from affordable to market-rate
rents within 10 years of the beginning of the planning period.
2) Provide an estimate and comparison of replacement costs vs. preservation costs.
3) Identify qualified entities to acquire and manage affordable housing.
4) Identify potential funding sources to preserve affordable housing.
(f) Land Use Strategies: Identify any needed updates to housing and land-use strategies to
reflect changing needs, resources and conditions. Provide mechanisms to adopt efficient
land-use strategies such as infill development, mixed-use development, and address climate
change and policies to reduce gas emissions (examples would be promoting infill for low-
income workers or promoting housing along transit corridors.)
(g) DUC analysis(Disadvantaged Underserved Communities): This analysis should use data as
evidence with contextual understanding to identify root causes, needs and opportunities for
intervention. This can be accomplished by
1) Defining the community and include both socioeconomic disadvantage and any
environmental burdens.
2) Providing demographics such as poverty rates, unemployment, educational
attainment as well as housing conditions, homeownership rates and displacement
risks.
3) Identifying health and well-being factors such as access to healthcare, behavioral
and social detriments, and health indicators such as life expectancy and infant
mortality rates.
4) Access to safe, walkable spaces, transportation, and air and water quality.
5) Social and Economic Determinants. What social safety nets and support systems
are in place? Is there access to quality educational and/or training programs? What
employment opportunities are in the community?
6) Identify barriers to Equity and Access. Identify language, cultural and disability
related barriers to services, identify and inequities affecting trust in these institutions as
well as any discrimination that may be present.
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7) Identify local community assets and strengths. What are the existing networks and
cultural resources that are available to the community? Identify local leadership and
advocacy groups.
8) Recommendations and Actions. Using the evidence-based approach, prioritize any
interventions that should occur. Create goals and indicators to monitor progress.
TASK 1.5: Resources Potential Constraints Analysis. Government Code section, 65583,
subdivisions (a)(5), (a)(4),(a)(6), (c)(1), and section 65583.2, subdivision (c).
This task includes an analysis of available resources (including land and financing) and
addressing governmental and non-governmental constraints and how to remove or mitigate
these constraints (e.g., land use controls, permit processing and procedures, building codes,
improvement requirements, fees, short-term rental regulations and the analysis of zoning for
a variety of housing types. Government Code Section 65583(a)(6) requires "an analysis of
potential and actual nongovernmental constraints upon the maintenance , improvement, or
development of housing for all income levels, including the availability of financing, the price
of land, and the cost of construction."
Subtasks:
a) Prepare a governmental and nongovernmental constraints analysis consistent
with State law and current HCD guidance, including evaluation of the availability of
financing, availability and price of land, construction costs, trends in development
below planned densities in the County and outline actions to mitigate
governmental constraints affecting housing production across income levels. This
should include land use controls, local processing and permit procedures
(including timeframe between approval for a housing development project and
application for building permits), building codes and their enforcement, on and off-
site improvement requirements, fees and other exactions, housing for persons
with disabilities and analysis of locally adopted ordinances that directly impact the
cost and supply of housing.
b) Provide an analysis showing the adequacy of public facilities and infrastructure.
c) Provide an inventory of federal, state, local and private financial and programmatic
resources.
d) Describe opportunities for energy conservation in residential development,
tailored to local conditions and resources. Government code 65583, subdivision
(a)(8)
e) Analyze the specific housing cost components and provide strategies to develop
and implement housing and land-use programs.
Identify County strategies that can create essential preconditions (favorable zoning and
development standards, fast-track permit process, etc.) that encourage and facilitate
development of a variety of housing types and levels of affordability.
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