Title
Staff Report for a City of San Leandro City Council Resolution Authorizing the Submittal of an Application for Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grants Program Funds (for Housing Element Preparation and Related Activities)
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to:
1. Apply for and submit to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) a LEAP grant application package for approval of grant funding to support activities related to compliance with the sixth cycle of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), which will likely include preparation of a sites inventory, comprehensive housing element update, related rezoning, and CEQA documentation; and
2. If the Application is approved by HCD, authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into, execute, and deliver on behalf of the City, a State of California Agreement ("Standard Agreement") for up to $300,000.
Background
On January 27, 2020, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for approximately $119 million as part of the Local Early Action Planning Grants (LEAP) Program. Similar to the $310,000 SB 2 Planning Grant, which the City was awarded in January 2020, LEAP provides support to jurisdictions to engage in planning activities that will accelerate housing production. The LEAP program provides a maximum grant allowance based on population size. The City of San Leandro falls within the medium size category, which is eligible for up to $300,000 in grant funding. The LEAP Program provides one-time grant funding to regions and jurisdictions for technical assistance, preparation and adoption of planning documents, and process improvements. The over-arching goals of the Program are to accelerate housing production and facilitate compliance to implement the sixth cycle of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (R...
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