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Planning and Building Department, Planning Services Division, Long Range Planning Unit, staff recommending the Board:
1) Accept a grant award, in accordance with Board Policy A-6, in the amount of $35,000 for Local Government Planning Support Grants Program funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development allocated through the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) under a Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) Grants Program Memorandum of Understanding (MOU);
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 171-2020, which authorizes the Planning and Building Department Director, or designee, to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with SACOG for the grant funding;
3) Authorize the Planning and Building Department Director, or designee, to execute subsequent amendments thereto that do not affect the dollar amount or the term, and to act on the County’s behalf in all matters pertaining to this MOU contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management; and
4) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a budget transfer adjusting the budget for FY 2020-21 to accommodate the grant fund and related expenses (4/5 vote required).
FUNDING: California Department of Housing and Community Development Local Government Planning Support Grants Program, Regional Early Action Planning Grants.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
California Assembly Bill 101 established the Local Government Planning Support Grants Program to provide regions and jurisdictions with one-time funding to establish priorities that increase housing planning and accelerate housing production. Together, the State’s Local Government Planning Support Grants Program will bring almost $14 million to the region for housing planning related activities.
Under this program, the funding going directly to regions is called Regional Early Action Planning (REAP). Senate Bill 113, signed in October 2019, makes up to 25 percent of $6,762,880 allocated through the REAP program available immediately to the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) as the regional Council of Governments.
The REAP funds available to SACOG must be used to increase housing planning and accelerate housing production through an improved Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) methodology, provide technical assistance to cities and counties, and support local efforts to accelerate housing production.
On March 19, 2020, the SACOG Board approved a plan for the first 25 percent of SACOG’s REAP funds that include a non-competitive grant program to distribute REAP funds to local jurisdictions based on their Cycle 6 RHNA. Based on this formula, El Dorado County is eligible for up to $35,000 in REAP funding to assist with the General Plan Housing Element Update 2021-2029 land inventory process required to meet the County’s RHNA allocation.
Funding must be utilized for updating the Housing Element to be compliant with Cycle 6 RHNA. Housing Element updates must demonstrate how zoning can or will accommodate the RHNA of the jurisdiction and must comply with Housing Element Law (Government Code, §§ 65580 et seq.). The Housing Element must be updated by May 31, 2021, or within the grace period allowed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. The deadline for expending all REAP funds is October 2021.
Staff is requesting Board approval to accept the REAP grant funding, as required by the Board Policy A-6, Grants - Application and Administration.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may reject staff recommendation to accept the state REAP program from SACOG which would result in these one-time funds allocation to the County being forfeited.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
On September 18, 2018, the Board adopted Resolution of Intention 193-2018 to amend the County General Plan by updating the Housing Element in 2021 as required by State law (see Board Agenda 9/18/18 Minutes, Item No.20, Legistar File No. 18-1146).
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item would reduce net county cost by up to $35,000. The Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) funds will fund a portion of the housing element update, and potentially offset the General Fund costs to the Department.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk to obtain Chair's signature on one (1) original copy of the Resolution.
2) Clerk of the Board will forward one (1) certified copy of the fully executed Resolution to Planning and Building Department, attention of C.J. Freeland.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance - "Promote the development of resources to identify and purse additional revenue including local, state, federal and private funding for new and existing projects.”
Healthy Communities - "Achieve sufficient and attainable housing for all El Dorado County residents.”
Economic Development - "Provide attainable housing options - balance jobs with housing.”
CONTACT
Tiffany Schmid
Director, Planning and Building Department