SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom’s efforts to tackle California’s housing affordability crisis continue to result in significant progress. The state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has announced that two more cities — Jurupa Valley and Paramount — now have housing plans (“Housing Elements”) certified by HCD to comply with state housing law.

In February, Governor Newsom met with mayors and other officials from jurisdictions that were not in compliance with state Housing Element law. Since then, five jurisdictions have come into compliance: Orange Cove, Clovis, Soledad, Jurupa Valley and Paramount. An additional 10 jurisdictions are currently under review by HCD: Atwater, Bradbury, Claremont, Desert Hot Springs, Fillmore, Holtville, Imperial, Lake County, San Juan Bautista, and Wheatland.

“The progress continues,” said Department of Housing and Community Development Director Ben Metcalf. “We’re seeing strong efforts from many of the cities and counties that don’t have state-approved housing plans. Our team is working diligently in partnership with the remaining 42 jurisdictions to bring them into compliance as well.”

Incorporated in 2011, Jurupa Valley — California’s newest city — now has its first-ever state-compliant housing plan. The city of Paramount gained compliance after amending its Clearwater East Specific Plan to allow streamlined development of housing, provided the proposed developments meet certain criteria, including a minimum “density” (homes per acre). Both jurisdictions are now eligible to apply for planning grants from HCD to engage in a variety of activities designed to accelerate housing production.