Title
Planning and Building Department, Tahoe Planning, Stormwater, and Vacation Home Rental Division, recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign a letter addressed to the California Department of Housing and Community Development in support of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s application for the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 2.0) Higher Impact Transformative grant.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The HIT allocation of REAP 2.0 funding makes $30 million available across the state to eligible entities that pursue innovative approaches to advancing investments in housing, planning, and infill housing-supportive infrastructure in a manner that reduces vehicle miles traveled, increases housing affordability, and advances equity. Through the HIT grant opportunity, REAP 2.0 seeks to accelerate infill housing development, reduce vehicle miles traveled, increase housing supply at all affordability levels, affirmatively further fair housing, and facilitate implementation of adopted regional and local plans to achieve these goals.
TRPA is requesting that the Board support its HIT grant application. TRPA is collaborating and coordinating closely with County staff and other partners in the Tahoe Basin (Placer County, City of South Lake Tahoe, etc.) to pursue this funding opportunity. If successful, TRPA will use the HIT grant funds to accelerate affordable housing, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and assist the County and other local jurisdictions in developing and implementing local plans to achieve these goals in the Tahoe Basin.
It is anticipated that if this grant application is successful, the funding could help fund the County’s Tahoe planning efforts, including potentially identifying and completing an area plan update or development for unincorporated areas of the County within the Tahoe Basin. Though TRPA is still in the process of finalizing the grant application, it’s estimated that the grant funding requested will be up to $7 million, with approximately $500,000 allocated to the County for the area plan efforts. The Planning and Building Department (Department) supports TRPA’s request to the Board to approve the Chair’s signing of the letter of support and, if successful and TRPA can provide a portion of the funds to the County to further its efforts, the Department will return to the Board for further direction.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve the Chair’s signing of the letter, which could inhibit TRPA’s ability to obtain this grant funding.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item as there is no financial impact to the County by issuing the letter of support. If TRPA is awarded the HIT grant, the Department will work with TRPA to identify specific funding options for the County and return to the Board for any additional actions and budget transfer. It’s estimated that the County would receive approximately $500,000 through a transfer of funds from TRPA to cover the costs associated with the area plan efforts; however, a specific amount will not be determined until funds are awarded. Additionally, there is no specified County match requirement; however, it’s anticipated that the Department will commit staffing resources to assist with the overall project.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on one (1) original copy of the letter of support; and
2) The Clerk of the Board will provide a signed copy of the letter of support to the Tahoe Planning, Stormwater, and VHR Division, attention Brendan Ferry, for distribution.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Economic Development and Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Brendan Ferry, Deputy Director, Tahoe Planning, Stormwater, and VHR
Planning and Building Department