Housing Element Update survey
Housing Element Update survey
Between now and December 2022, the City of Menlo Park will be focused on updating its Housing Element and Safety Element, along with the preparation of an Environmental Justice Element.
Introduction
Help us shape the future of Menlo Park!
Every eight years, California cities are required to update their Housing Element to plan for much needed new housing.
Based on State requirements for housing in the Bay Area, Menlo Park is required to plan for over 3,000 new housing units in Menlo Park between 2023 and 2031. We will also be updating the Safety Element and creating a new Environmental Justice Element.
We need your help to identify community values and priorities for this major planning effort.
This survey is the first step in an extensive community engagement process. Your participation will be used to:
- Gain a better understanding of community values and priorities.
- Create a foundation for future conversations about possible solutions and policy changes, which will be discussed further at community meetings in the coming months.
- Enter you into a drawing to win one of twelve $25 gift cards to local businesses.
You can find additional information and subscribe to the Housing Element project email updates on the city website at menlopark.org/HousingElement.
Please complete the survey by September 6, 2021.
Tell us about your housing values and priorities (6 questions)
Your answers to these questions will help the City plan for new housing.
1. What are the most important values for the City of Menlo Park to consider when planning for new housing in Menlo Park? (Please select up to three)
2. Where should new housing be located in Menlo Park? (Please select up to three)
For Question 3 please refer to the illustrations below.
Accessory Dwelling Units:
Single detached houses:
Duplexes and triplexes:
Small apartment buildings:
Townhouse/rowhouse:
Housing over shops and restuarants:
Multifamily housing (3-5 stories):
Multifamily housing (6+ stories):
3. What type of housing would you like to see more of?
4. Are you having a hard time with your housing needs and are 65 years of age or more; a person with disabilities; in a large household (5 or more); a female-headed household; and/or currently unhoused?
5. Do you have concerns about being able to stay in your home due to rising rents or other reasons?
6. What are the barriers you have seen firsthand to finding housing in Menlo Park? (Please select all that apply)
Tell us about your environmental justice priorities (2 questions)
Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people with respect to protection from environmental and health hazards and seeks to improve the health and lives of people in neighborhoods most impacted. The purpose of these questions is to understand environmental health concerns and to develop policies for Menlo Park in a more equitable manner.
7. What issues do you think are most important for the City to address to ensure all neighborhoods have a healthy living environment? (Please rank each topic)
8. What are some of the environmental justice issues that affect you or your family? (Please rank each topic)
Tell us about your safety element priorities (2 questions)
The purpose of these questions is to get feedback for the Safety Element update related to environmental hazards resulting from climate change in Menlo Park.
9. How concerned are you about each hazard? (Please rank each topic)
10. Has your neighborhood been affected by wildfire smoke, heatwaves, drought, flooding and other climate hazards? (Please select one for each topic)
Let's learn about you! (8 questions)
These questions will be used to understand the demographics of people who are responding to the survey. You may skip any questions that you are not comfortable answering, except question 11.
(required) 11. Do you live and/or work in Menlo Park? (Required)
12. If you live in Menlo Park, how long have you lived in the city?
13. If you live in Menlo Park, please indicate the City Council district you live in. If unsure, look up your City Council district by address at menlopark.org/CityCouncilDistrictLookup.
14. Does your household include any of the following people? (Please select all that apply)
15. What is your ethnicity/race? (Please select all that apply)
16. Have you faced housing discrimination based on your ethnicity/race in Menlo Park?
17. What is your age?
18. Is there anything else you would like to add about housing, environmental justice, or climate change related safety concerns that have the potential to impact you and your neighborhood?
Thank you for taking this first major step with us toward updating the Housing and Safety Elements and creating a new Environmental Justice Element.
Please participate in the upcoming community engagement events to be held throughout this process.
Information from this survey and other events will support the development of Housing, Safety and Environmental Justice goals, policies and programs. Once drafted, the information will be incorporated into the City of Menlo Park General Plan.
The last step in the process will include public presentations to the Planning Commission and City Council for adoption, expected in November/December 2022.
Many thanks for your time! Your input is vital to the process. Please visit menlopark.org/HousingElement for more information and to sign up for project updates, including the results of this survey.