Draft Housing Element released to public May. 31, 2021 at 6:00 am Santa Monica’s Housing Element governs the city’s approach to residential development and will be up for discussion this week. Photo courtesy of Century West Partners. After several months of community engagement and discussions, Santa Monica’s Housing Element has been released to the public for review ahead of this Wednesday’s Planning Commission discussion. State law requires the City of Santa Monica to update its Housing Element every eight years since the mandated document serves as the City’s future housing plan and sets clear goals and objectives that will help local leaders meet the housing needs of all segments of the city’s population and prevent the displacement of existing residents.