Appendix B: Definitions — Housing Accountability Act Technical Assistance Advisory

Area median income means area median income as periodically established by the HCD pursuant to Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code. The developer shall provide sufficient legal commitments to ensure continued availability of units for very low or low-income households in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision for 30 years. (Gov. Code, § 65589.5, subd. (h)(4).)

Bad faith includes, but is not limited to, an action that is frivolous or otherwise entirely without merit. (Gov. Code, § 65589.5, subd. (l).) This definition arises in the context of the action a local government takes when it disapproved or conditionally approved the housing development or emergency shelter in violation of the HAA.

Deemed complete means that the applicant has submitted a preliminary application pursuant to Government Code section 65941.1 (Gov. Code, § 65589.5, subd. (h)(5).) However, in Government Code section 65589.5(k)(1)(B)(i) deemed complete has the same meaning as “Determined to be Complete”.

Determined to be complete means that the applicant has submitted a complete application pursuant to Government Code section 65943 (Gov. Code, § 65589.5, subd. (h)(9).)

Disapprove the housing development project means a local government either votes on a proposed housing development project application and the application is disapproved, including any required land use approvals or entitlements necessary for the issuance of a building permit, or fails to comply with specified timeframes in the Permit Streamlining Act. (Gov. Code, § 65589.5, subd. (h)(5).)

Farmworker housing means housing in which at least 50 percent of the units are available to, and occupied by, farmworkers and their households.

Feasible means capable of being accomplished in a successful manner within a reasonable period of time, taking into account economic, environmental, social, and technological factors. (Gov. Code, § 65589.5, subd. (h)(1).)

Housing development project means a use consisting of any of the following: (1) development projects with only residential units, (2) mixed-use developments consisting of residential and non-residential uses with at least two-thirds of the square footage designated for residential use, (3) transitional or supportive housing.

Housing organization means a trade or industry group whose local members are primarily engaged in the construction or management of housing units or a nonprofit organization whose mission includes providing or advocating for increased access to housing for low-income households and have filed written or oral comments with the local agency prior to action on the housing development project. (Gov. Code, § 65589.5, subd. (k)(2).) This definition is relevant to the individuals or entities that have standing to bring an HAA enforcement action against a local agency.