Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 20-098, AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR AND RECEIPT OF LOCAL EARLY ACTION PLANNING GRANT (LEAP) FUNDS THROUGH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (CITY COUNCIL).
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I. SUMMARY
The purpose of this grant is to assist cities in the preparation and adoption of planning documents and process improvements with funds under the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Local Early Action Planning Grant (LEAP). The LEAP is intended for the acceleration of housing production and to facilitate compliance to implement the sixth-cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA).
Funding Available
The LEAP allocates funds based on population, and the City is eligible for $300,000 with no match requirement. The funds are currently available as part of a “Year 1” noncompetitive, over-the-counter basis provided applicants meet certain threshold requirements. Funding will be disbursed upon the completion of an application that includes an adopted Resolution by the City Council authorizing application, submittal and receipt of the funds. Grant funds must be expended by December 31, 2023. Eligible applicants are limited to local governments, i.e., cities and counties.
Eligible activities include:
• Preparing and adopting Housing Elements of the General Plan that include an implementation component to facilitate compliance with the sixth cycle RHNA.
• Developing or improving an accessory dwelling unit ordinance in compliance with Section 65852.2 of the Government Code.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. ADOPT Resolution No. 20-098, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Carson, California Authorizing APPLICATION FOR, AND RECEIPT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT PLANNING SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS.“
2. AUTHORIZE the Mayor to execute the Standard Agreement provided by HCD, following approval as to form by the City Attorney.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE any other action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
Increasing the availability of affordable housing statewide is critical to bettering the quality of life of all Californians and to ending homelessness. In the FY 2019-20 Budget Act, Governor Newsom allocated $250 million for all regions, cities, and counties to do their part by prioritizing planning activities that accelerate housing production to meet identified needs of every community. With this allocation, HCD established LEAP with $119 million for cities and counties. LEAP provides one-time grant funding to cities and counties to update their planning documents and implement process improvements to facilitate the acceleration of housing production and help local prepare for the 6th cycle RHNA.
The 2019-20 Budget Act provides a spectrum of support, incentives, resources, and accountability to meet California’s housing goals. Some elements include:
• Local and regional planning grants (LEAP and REAP)
• Pro-housing preference points on competitive funding applications
• Additional funding resources
• Accountability (penalties for noncompliant housing plans)
• Reform (collaborative processes to reform regional housing needs)
V. FISCAL IMPACT
None. If awarded the full $300,000 as requested, the City will have sufficient funds to update the Housing Element with required environmental documentation and produce a State compliant Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Resolution No. 20-098 (pgs. 3-5)
Prepared by: Alvie Betancourt, Planning Manager