Title
Planning and Building Department, Economic Development Division, recommending the Board consider the following:
1) In accordance with Board Policy A-6, accept an Engage, Empower, Implement Grant award in the amount of $250,000 as funding for the El Dorado County Housing Assessment and Taskforce Outreach; and
2) Authorize the Director of the Planning and Building Department to execute the grant agreement and subsequent amendments thereto that do not affect the dollar amount or the term and sign other grant-related documents as necessary, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: Engage, Empower, Implement Grant, Federal Funding (100%).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Sacramento Council of Governments (SACOG) is administering a new initiative, the Engage, Empower, Implement Regional Funding Program (EEI). The new funding program will establish and fund community-based outreach and engagement projects throughout the six-county SACOG region. EEI aims to partner local jurisdictions with Community-based organizations (CBOs) to plan and implement affordable housing, transportation, and mobility projects in their communities. $3.8 million is available for all CBOs, cities, counties, and tribal governments in the SACOG region.
El Dorado County, in partnership with the El Dorado Community Foundation, has been awarded $250,000 to implement a comprehensive community engagement and outreach plan. This plan aims to develop a housing needs assessment and an affordable housing strategy, along with policy options for the Board of Supervisors consideration. This outreach will be done concurrently with the work of the Affordable Housing Task Force, which is focused on recommendations to the Board for an inclusionary housing ordinance as its first phase task.
Additional Project Background and Objectives
The promotion and development of affordable housing is a County-wide endeavor. Research from the California Housing Partnership (CHP) highlights that more than 3,500 low-income renter households in El Dorado County lack access to affordable housing. Among those who secure housing, a significant financial burden is evident, with 70 percent of extremely low-income households allocating over half of their income towards housing expenses. El Dorado County, marked by its rural setting, burgeoning retirement community, limited industrial opportunities, rising living costs, and construction expenses, faces a pressing affordable housing crisis.
This project aims to foster direct community involvement through outreach efforts to craft an impactful, community-driven strategic plan for affordable housing. Key project objectives include:
• Organizing up to twelve (12) community engagement meetings across County supervisorial districts and at least one centrally located county meeting.
• Executing one (1) online community survey.
• Facilitating one (1) to two (2) stakeholder meetings or processes, each lasting one (1) to two (2) hours, to engage identified stakeholders in pinpointing communal needs.
• Conducting one (1) to three (3) strategic planning workshops, each lasting approximately two (2) to three (3) hours, to identify pertinent issues, requirements, and the focus of the Affordable Housing Task Force.
• Collaborating with the Affordable Housing Task Force to:
- Formulate County policy recommendations for the Board of Supervisors.
- Draft an Affordable Housing Strategic Plan that incorporates community feedback.
- Finalize a comprehensive Affordable Housing Strategic Plan for consideration and adoption by the Board of Supervisors.
El Dorado County serves as the SACOG project lead and government agency, with the El Dorado Community Foundation as the collaborating Community-Based Organization (CBO). El Dorado Community Foundation champions visionary initiatives, directly responds to community needs, and strives to promote a broader, more inclusive vision of community well-being and excellence for all residents.
The El Dorado Community Foundation's selection as the project's collaborative CBO stems from its esteemed reputation as a reliable advocate for underserved community members. Their expertise aligns seamlessly with the County's overarching goal of fostering sustainable development, job creation, and enhancing the quality of life for all residents. The Foundation's expertise in gathering wide-ranging and comprehensive community input will help develop recommendations that best serve El Dorado County and the unique challenges and opportunities here.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to accept the EEI Grant in the amount of $250,000. This would result in the County forfeiting a grant opportunity and would result in less robust community outreach in the development of the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan. Community outreach would instead be staff driven and would result in increased staff time and costs.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
El Dorado Community Foundation
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost resulting from this item, as there are no grant match requirements. The Department will return at a future Board of Supervisors meeting to request a budget transfer for Professional Services and Revenue for Fiscal Year 2024-25, and future costs will be included in future Fiscal Years.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Safe and Healthy Communities
Priority: Develop a continuum of support and housing opportunities for unhoused individuals
Action Item: Develop a comprehensive plan for affordable housing opportunities,
CONTACT
Christopher Perry, Economic and Business Relations Manager
Planning and Building Department