No impact to the County General Fund. All project costs will be funded by revenue from grant funds from California Department of Housing and Community Development's Housing Related Parks Program.
In October 2015, California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) released a notification of funding availability (NOFA) for $35 million in grant funding under its Housing-Related Parks (HRP) Program. On February 9, 2015, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2016/69 to authorize and direct the Conservation and Development Director, or designee, to:
"SUBMIT to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the Housing Related Parks (HRP) Program Application Package for the 2015 Designated Program Year in an amount not to exceed $158,400; and EXECUTE a Standard Agreement with HCD in an amount not to exceed $158,400, and any and all other documents required or deemed necessary or appropriate to secure the HRP Program Grant from HCD."
The Department of Conservation and Development was notified that the grant applications were approved in the amount of $162,675 which exceeds the $158,400 previously approved. The increased amount is due to the County receiving a Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) bonus of $4,275. RHNA bonus was given to jurisdictions that have made significant progress in permitting the housing needed to meet the overall RHNA for the current planning period for the jurisdiction. To qualify for the RHNA bonus, eligible jurisdictions had to meet a target percentage as established by the HCD, of their overall RHNA, by the end of the Designated Program Year. The new resolution language provides for a grant amount not to exceed $165,000 to accommodate the actual grant award.
The HRP program is funded through the passage of Proposition 1C (the Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006) which creates an incentive for local governments to build affordable housing by providing the reward of grant funds to meet the need for park facilities in their communities. The grant funds are available on a noncompetitive basis with the award determined by a formula consisting of the number of bedrooms constructed and affordable units available plus bonus funds awarded based on location of the housing units, location of proposed project, and implementation of the jurisdictions Housing Element. Eligible units must be in unincorporated Contra Costa County and have building permits issued between 2010 and 2015.
Based on the formula provided by HCD the County is eligible for an estimated $162,675, based on the development of the following affordable housing projects.
Eligible HRP Program Affordable Housing Development
| Project |
Community |
Units |
Bedrooms |
| El Rincon |
Bay Point |
9 |
27 |
| Scattered Sites |
Bay Point |
2 |
6 |
| Muir Ridge |
Pacheco |
12 |
39 |
Proposed Parks
The proposed projects are located in the communities where the housing is located and include trail improvements along the Bay Point Regional Trail Shoreline (approximately $79,000) and improvements to the Las Juntas Elementary School district play field in Pacheco (approximately $86,000). Projects were identified using information gathered by staff in developing the expenditure plan for Measure WW local park funds.
If awarded, the Department of Conservation and Development will seek subsequent Board approval to enter into agreements with East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) and Martinez Unified School District (MUSD) to implement the grant funding
Without Board approval, the Conservation and Development Director, or designee, will not enter into a Standard Agreement with HSD and would not be eligible to receive the HRPP grant funds.
The proposed project will support the following community outcomes established in the Children's Report Card: 1) Children and youth are healthy and preparing for a productive adulthood; 2) Families are safe, stable, and nurturing; 3) Communities are safe and provide a high quality of life for children and families.