By Mike Bodine
Register Staff
8-13-2009

The year-long assessment of the City of Bishop’s Housing Element Update is nearly complete and now it’s time for the public to comment.
The update is the primary tool used in the City’s General Plan to identify housing needs including the replacement of unsafe housing, rehabilitation of housing in need of fixing and housing opportunities.
Opportunities for growth for housing or industry in the Owens Valley is limited, as less than 2 percent of the land is in private hands, so the update is valuable for planners and agencies and the community to help navigate this unique housing situation.
The update is also an evaluation of how the city has met the goals set from the 2004 update, as well as a guide to needs for the future.
All cities and counties in California are required to have a housing update assessment done every five years as part of it’s General Plan.
The update is part of an ongoing review based on the Regional Housing Needs Assessment and the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s goal of “decent housing and a suitable living environment for every California family.”
The update is being prepared by Bauer Planning and Environmental Services in conjunction with city staff and elected officials, Inyo-Mono Advocates for Community Action, the residents of Bishop and the HCD.
The city is urging the public to comment and attend the hearing on the update at the City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 14.