REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning & Development Department
THROUGH: PHIL SKEI, Assistant Director
Planning & Development Department
BY: MAYRA MERINO, Senior Management Analyst
Housing Finance Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to a State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Grant Agreement between the City of Fresno and Central California Land Trust:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Approve a State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Grant Agreement in the amount of $800,000 with Central California Land Trust for the acquisition and rehabilitation of two single-family homes to be sold and preserved as affordable housing.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council adopt a categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (minor alterations) of the CEQA guidelines and approve an $800,000 State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Grant Agreement with Central California Land Trust (CCLT) for its proposed Phase II project to acquire and rehabilitate two single family homes to be sold and preserved as affordable housing for low-income households.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CCLT will acquire two existing Single-Family homes, rehabilitate them, and re-sell the improved dwellings at an affordable price to eligible homebuyers earning an average income of less than 80% of the area median income (AMI). When sold, homebuyer will acquire the building and CCLT will maintain ownership of the land through a ground lease to ensure the homes are affordable in perpetuity.
BACKGROUND
On December 9, 2021, City Council elected to use a portion of the City’s SLFRF allocation to support the COVID-19 Public Health and Economic Response by addressing the impact on lower income households and increasing the supply and creation of affordable housing.
On November 3, 2022, City Council approved a SLFRF Grant Agreement for $225,500 with CCLT to enable the organization to develop a community land trust business plan. CCLT successfully completed the requirements of this original agreement, including a business plan for the land trust and employment of a full-time Executive Director. Under the leadership of their new Executive Director, CCLT seeks to implement the plan which outlines a sustainable business model that includes the critical early step of acquiring two permanently affordable community-controlled single-family housing units.
CCLT will utilize the singled-family home Acquisition/Rehabilitation for Homeownership strategy to acquire two existing homes to rehabilitate them and re-sell them at an affordable price. Homes will be sold to households with an average income of less than 80% AMI. CCLT will execute a Ground Lease with the buyer to maintaining ownership of the land. This will enable CCLT to monitor and manage any future resale of the homes to preserve affordability over time.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has determined this project falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15301/Class 1, which exempts minor alteration projects of existing private or public structures with no expansion of existing or former use.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no Fiscal impact to the City’s General Fund as a result of this action. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) will be utilized for this project.
Attachments:
CEQA Categorical Exemption
SLFRF Grant Agreement