REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: SUMMER ROOKS, Project Manager
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION -Adopting the 24th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2021-178 to appropriate $750,000 for the Local Early Action Planning Support Grant Program to accelerate housing production in the City of Fresno (Requires 5 Affirmative Votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the AAR to appropriate $750,000 for the LEAP Program to accelerate housing production in the City of Fresno. This resolution is an administrative item that allows staff to process reimbursement requests from the grant award which was approved by Council on June 25, 2020.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Approval of the AAR will appropriate $750,000 for the Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Support Grant program awarded by the California State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to accelerate housing production in the City of Fresno. Once the funds are appropriated, staff will begin allocating funding to the approved grant programs which include Housing Element updates, housing trust fund research, CEQA overlay for high-opportunity sites, and various issues involving catalyst housing/accessory dwelling units.
BACKGROUND
The California HCD issued a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Local Government planning Support Grant Program with a total of $119 million available in one-time LEAP funds. On June 25, 2020, Council approved the grant application which was successful in awarding the City $750,000. The goals of the grant are the acceleration of housing production and implementation of the sixth-cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment. Pursuant to these goals the following five program components were identified for funding in the grant application:
1. Sixth-cycle Housing Element update, beginning early 2022
2. Housing trust fund research and recommendation, completed summer 2021
3. Small Developer Training, completed summer 2021
4. Catalyst housing/Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) demonstration, beginning early 2022
5. ADU ordinance update, approved design creation, and marketing materials, Cottage Homes Program approved by council April 22, 2021, to be completed early 2022
Each program is being or will be executed independently and approval of the AAR amendment will allow staff to begin requesting reimbursement for work performed as well as encumber funding for consultants, as needed.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a “project” for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Not applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT
No additional General Fund appropriations are required to accept this grant.
Attachment:
Exhibit A - Annual Appropriation Resolution