Planning and Building Agency
www.santa-ana.org/planning-and-building
Item # 24
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
October 15, 2024
TOPIC:California State Department of Housing and Community Development Prohousing Designation Program Application
AGENDA TITLE
Application to the California State Department of Housing and Community Development for the Prohousing Designation Program under the Permanent Regulations
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt a resolution authorizing application to the California State Department of Housing and Community Development Prohousing Designation Program.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-XXX entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO AND PARTICIPATION
IN THE PROHOUSING DESIGNATION PROGRAM
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
In 2019, Assembly Bill (AB) 101 established the Prohousing Designation Program administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The program provides several benefits to cities and jurisdictions, which include the following:
•Additional funding opportunities like the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) and Infill Infrastructure Grant (IIG) •Accelerated affordable housing production through the Prohousing Incentive Program
•Priority processing and funding points when applying for funding programs •Recognition of the City’s commitment to addressing California’s housing shortage
Eligibility to receive the Prohousing Designation requires the applicant to have an adopted housing element, be current on submission of the Annual Progress Report, and be in compliance with applicable State housing law. Applicants must also submit a resolution, with language and format as required by HCD, authorizing application and participation in the program. Jurisdictions that meet these requirements qualify for the
California State Department of Housing and Community Development Prohousing Designation Program Application
October 15, 2024
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validation phase of the application, which is based on the following four scoring categories:
•Favorable Zoning and Land Use
•Acceleration of Housing Production Timeframes
•Reduction of Construction and Development Costs
•Providing Financial Subsidies
A minimum score of 30 points is required to receive a Prohousing Designation, and applicants must demonstrate that they have enacted or proposed at least one policy in each of the four categories.
Planning Division staff first applied for the Prohousing Designation under the emergency regulations in December 2023. Permanent regulations for the program were subsequently approved in January 2024, resulting in the City needing to re-apply under these updated regulations.
If this item is approved, staff will submit the application and resolution to HCD for review. HCD will then either approve or provide feedback on the application within 60 days. If awarded, the Prohousing Designation remains valid for three years.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
EXHIBITS
1. Resolution – Authorizing Application to Program
2. Draft Prohousing Designation Program Application
Submitted By: Minh Thai, Executive Director of Planning and Building Agency Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager