REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JERRY DYER, Mayor
Office of Mayor & City Manager
BY: MATTHEW GRUNDY, Deputy Mayor
Office of Mayor & City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Actions related to One Fresno Housing Strategy:
1. ***RESOLUTION - Create a Voucher Incentive Program (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
2. ***RESOLUTION - Create a Rent Stabilization Program (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
3. ***RESOLUTION - Fund the Central California Land Trust (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
4. ***RESOLUTION - Fund the Fresno Mixed-Income Neighborhood Trust (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
5. ***RESOLUTION - Allocate American Rescue Plan Funding to the City of Fresno Local Housing Trust Fund (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
6. ***RESOLUTION - Fund the Fresno City College Tiny Home Construction Partnership (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
7. ***RESOLUTION - Acknowledge the Continuance of the Eviction Protection Program (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the following resolutions pertaining to the One Fresno Housing Strategy recommendations
1. Resolution to create a Voucher Incentive Program and,
2. Resolution to create a Rent Stabilization Program and,
3. Resolution to fund the Central California Land Trust and,
4. Resolution to fund the Fresno Mixed-Income Neighborhood Trust and,
5. Resolution to allocate American Rescue Plan Funding to the City of Fresno Local Housing Trust Fund and,
6. Resolution to fund the Fresno City College Tiny Home Construction Partnership and,
7. Resolution to acknowledge the Continuance of the Eviction Protection Program
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As part of the fiscal year 2023 budget planning cycle efforts, Mayor Dyer announced his proposal to allocate $40 million dollars of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the execution of the One Fresno Housing Strategy. This was codified by City Council in its adoption of the budget on June 30, 2022.
The housing component of the strategy called for a three-year investment of $101,645,000. The $40 million ARPA commitment was a key appropriation added to existing housing entitlement dollars to realize the housing strategy’s goal, and thereby make significant progress toward meeting Fresno’s housing needs. These 7 resolutions, in addition to others already implemented, account for 20 of the 47 total strategy recommendations.
BACKGROUND
An intense four-month effort involved research, thought, and collaboration from a broad group of stakeholders, including City Staff, Councilmembers, housing developers (for-profit and non-profit), housing advocates and individuals who care deeply about the present and future state of Fresno's housing.
The One Fresno Housing Strategy incorporates input from public, community, nonprofit, philanthropic and corporate representatives. Recommendations found within this strategy took into account feedback from over 3,000 Fresnans who have informed our city's housing vision through public meetings and the crafting of various reports from 2017 to the present. At its unveiling, the strategy has been received well.
What is key to realizing the desired outcomes of the strategy is its execution. The Administration firmly believes that the strategy can serve as a powerful tool and roadmap to help us make significant progress towards addressing Fresno's affordable housing and unhoused population challenges by fully executing its recommendations. The recommendations found within the strategy aim to create an environment that leads to the 3-year completion, rehabilitation, and preservation of 6,926 affordable and 4,110 market-rate housing units. The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the attached Resolutions as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because these resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The source of funding for all 7 resolutions is American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding. An appropriation of $40 million dollars in ARPA funds was made as part of the adoption of the fiscal year 2023 City Budget. The General Fund is not impacted.
Attachments:
Resolution - Create a Voucher Incentive Program
Resolution - Create a Rent Stabilization Program
Resolution - Fund the Central California Land Trust
Resolution - Fund the Fresno Mixed-Income Neighborhood Trust
Resolution - Allocate American Rescue Plan Funding to the City of Fresno Local Housing Trust Fund
Resolution - Fund the Fresno City College Tiny Home Construction Partnership
Resolution - Acknowledge the Continuance of the Eviction Protection Program