Agenda Item: 9
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: July 14, 2026
SUBJECT: CONSULTATION SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN
AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGY PLAN AND GRANT
PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
PRESENTER: Masis Hagobian
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Award a one-year contract to HR&A Advisors, Inc., for the development of an Affordable Housing Strategy Plan, Developer Grant Program, and related technical assistance services in the amount of $129,200.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute up to two additional, one-year renewal options beginning in year two.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney review.
BACKGROUND
On October 7, 2025, the City Council held an Affordable Housing Study Session to discuss local housing needs, affordable housing funding opportunities, and the City of Santa Clarita’s (City) role in supporting affordable housing development. As part of the discussion, staff provided an overview of the City’s affordable housing inventory, funding sources available to support affordable housing, and the challenges associated with developing affordable housing projects.
City staff also discussed the City’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation of 10,031 housing units for the 6th Cycle (2021-2029), including more than 5,000 units designated for lower-income households. Additionally, staff noted that approximately 38 percent of Santa Clarita households are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs.
One funding source discussed during the study session was the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA). The Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency was established through Senate Bill (SB) 679 and is funded through Measure A, the voter-approved one-half cent countywide sales tax intended to support affordable housing solutions throughout Los Angeles County. Under SB 679, the City is designated as an Eligible Jurisdiction and receives an annual allocation of LACAHSA funding.
Following discussion, the City Council directed staff to continue advancing affordable housing initiatives, develop a grant program utilizing available affordable housing funding, and return with additional analysis regarding affordable housing policies and programs.
On January 27, 2026, the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2025-26 LACAHSA budget, which included Technical Assistance funding to retain a professional consultant to develop an Affordable Housing Strategy Plan, Developer Grant Program, and related affordable housing initiatives.
The City conducted a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit proposals seeking qualified firms to assist with the development of an Affordable Housing Strategy Plan, creation of a Developer Grant Program, and technical assistance related to LACAHSA program implementation and compliance requirements. The RFP was published and circulated via the City’s e-procurement system, BidNet, on April 8, 2026. The City transmitted the solicitation to 2,549 vendors on BidNet, of which 91 vendors downloaded the RFP. Four firms provided proposals for consideration. Evaluation criteria included the following:
• Demonstrated understanding of the Scope of Work (20%) • Considerable experience and expertise with affordable housing programs, including references (25%)
• Thoroughness of proposal, approach to providing sound services, and ability to meet objectives and standards (25%)
• Qualifications, experience, and skills of the proposed personnel (15%) • Cost (15%)
The scoring results are shown below:
RANK FIRM LOCATION SCORE
1 HR&A Advisors, Inc. New York, NY 95
2 Deeper Roots Consulting Services San Diego, CA 87
3 LeSar Development Consultants San Diego, CA 85.67
4 Thurmond Consulting Sacramento, CA 74
In addition to evaluating written proposals, staff conducted interviews with the two highest- scoring firms: HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A), and Deeper Roots Consulting Services. The interviews provided an opportunity for the firms to further discuss their project approach, in coordination with staff. Due to the close scoring among the top-ranked firms, staff also reached
out to LeSar Development Consultants regarding an interview, however, no response was received.
Interview scores were as follows (10 points maximum):
RANK FIRM LOCATION SCORE
1 HR&A Advisors, Inc. New York, NY 9
2 Deeper Roots Consulting Services San Diego, CA 5
Based on the quality of HR&A’s proposal, qualifications, relevant project experience, and interview performance, staff recommends HR&A as the firm most qualified to complete the development of an Affordable Housing Strategy Plan, creation of a Developer Grant Program, and related technical assistance services. Additionally, HR&A demonstrated the strongest understanding of LACAHSA’s funding requirements, as they developed LACAHSA’s Expenditure Plan, the foundational document that allocates over $380 million annually across Los Angeles County, and the financing tools that are incorporated as part of LACAHSA’s organizational framework offered to eligible jurisdictions.
Staff recommends awarding the contract to HR&A for a total contract not to exceed $129,200.
Upon completion of the consultant's work, recommendations regarding the Affordable Housing Strategy, Developer Grant Program, and any associated funding programs will be presented to the City Council for consideration in Spring 2027.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
All costs associated with the consultant services will be funded by the City's FY 2025-26 LACAHSA allocation budgeted for technical assistance (expenditure account 2773210-516102) in the amount of $129,200. There is no impact to the General Fund associated with this item.
ATTACHMENTS
HR&A Cost File
HR A Advisors Response File (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)