REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning & Development Department
BY: CASEY LAUDERDALE, Planner
Planning & Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Authorizing and directing submission of an application to the State of California Prohousing Designation program (Subject to Mayor's Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of a resolution to authorize submission of an application to the State's Prohousing Designation program to designate the City of Fresno as a "prohousing" city, allowing for preferential scoring in certain housing-related State grant opportunities.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) created the Prohousing Designation program to provide incentives to designated jurisdictions in the form of added points or preference in competitive housing, community development, and infrastructure funding programs.
In order to be designated as a prohousing jurisdiction, the City must submit a qualifying application to HCD that details its current and proposed prohousing policies and actions.
BACKGROUND
The State 2019-2020 Budget Act provided for the establishment of the Prohousing Designation Program that provides incentives to cities and counties in the form of additional points or other preference in the scoring of competitive housing, community development, and infrastructure programs.
Local governments may request to receive a designation by submitting an application to HCD. The application must show how the jurisdiction has implemented or will implement policies that align with categories which show a commitment to housing production. Proposed policies must be completed within two years from the date of submission. The four prohousing categories are: 1. Favorable Zoning and Land Use, 2. Acceleration of Housing Production Timeframes, 3. Reduction of Construction and Development Costs, and 4. Providing Financial Subsidies.
The mini...
Click here for full text