Nevada City, Calif. — Nevada County is inviting residents to review and provide feedback on the draft Housing Element Update, which will guide housing planning in the unincorporated areas of Nevada County for the next eight years, through 2035.

The updated plan doesn’t guarantee where housing will be built. Instead, it looks at unincorporated Nevada County’s current and future housing needs and identifies areas where housing could be appropriately accommodated, along with policies to support it.

Following a community survey and meeting, community members are now invited to review the draft and provide comments. Public input on the draft helps ensure it reflects the housing needs, opportunities and challenges of the county’s unincorporated areas before the Housing Element advances through the state review and local adoption process. The public review period runs through Wednesday, Nov. 4. Residents can visit nevadacountyca.gov/housingelementupdate to read the draft document. Comments can be submitted by emailing David.Nicholas@nevadacountyca.gov.

Nevada County’s Housing Needs Survey, conducted in August and September, showed rising housing costs, limited rental availability and a growing need for affordable and senior-friendly options as key concerns. Respondents highlighted affordability, senior rental options and home repair assistance as top priorities, and noted that rising expenses, especially fire insurance, are making it harder for longtime residents to remain in the area.

Following Board direction, the County will submit the draft Housing Element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for review. The County will then respond to any required edits and continue the local adoption process, including hearings before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors anticipated in spring 2027, and a final certification by the state expected in summer 2027.

The cities of Grass Valley and Nevada City, and the Town of Truckee, are completing separate Housing Element updates for their respective jurisdictions.

For  more  information,  see  nevadacountyca.gov/housingelementupdate.