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Local Planning Capacity Grant Program

The intent of the program is to increase the capacity of local government planning departments responsible for processing land use, permitting, and zoning applications for housing projects. The program supports local governments’ capacity to address affordable housing, especially by expediting development review, permitting, and zoning of affordable housing.

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Application Process

  • The Local Planning Capacity grant program launched November 1, 2023, with a Letter of Intent process, followed by a full application and Notice of Funding Availability process from January 3 - February 15, 2024. Awards were announced in March 2024. 
  • The next round of applications will open May 1 - June 3, 2024, with application review in June and awards estimated in July 2024.
  • Grant application materials will be posted to this page in early April.
  • Interested applicants must schedule a pre-application meeting with the LPC Program Manager in order to access the grant application form online. The purpose of this meeting is to get feedback on the proposed project and technical assistance before submitting an application.
  • Future funding rounds are planned for September 2024 and February 2025 with details to be announced.

What You Need to Know

  • Grant funds could support new staff wages, hiring consultants, implementing new systems and technologies, revising land use development codes, regional collaborations, developing future commitments, or other efforts that achieve fast track goals required by Proposition 123.
  • Fast Track of affordable housing is the top priority but grant funds can also support increasing planning department capacity, especially planning efforts that impact the number of affordable housing units built towards local Prop 123 commitments.
  • 20% required local match
  • Suggested maximum award is $200,000

Who Should Apply

  • Eligible entities include municipalities, counties, and tribal governments whose Prop 123 baseline and commitment have been accepted by the Division of Housing.
  • Any eligible local government that needs help accomplishing local affordable housing goals, Prop 123 commitments, or the Fast Track requirement in Prop 123. 

Guidance on the Implementation of Expedited Review Requirements in Proposition 123

Proposition 123 states that, in order to remain eligible for Proposition 123 funds in the next three-year cycle (2027 to 2029), local governments must demonstrate they have implemented an expedited review process for housing projects where at least half of the units are affordable. The Local Planning Capacity Grant Program provides funding to support local governments with implementation of this requirement.

While the law states that expedited review must take place within 90 calendar days of a complete application submission, there are many additional details to consider. In order to help local governments navigate the expedited review (fast-track) requirements of Proposition 123, the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) has published guidelines. DOLA’s guidance does not prescribe an approach but instead provides a list of strategies and approaches. Each community will need to determine which strategies are most effective for their local processes.

Learn More About the Expedited Review Requirements in Proposition 123

Estimated Program Timeline and Funding Available

  • Year 1 (July 2023-June 2024): Approximately $3 million available for the first, current round of funding
    • $2,648,398 was awarded in March 2024.
    • $391,602 remains available and will be awarded in the next funding cycle, which opens in May 2024
  • Year 2 (July 2024-June 2025, and annually thereafter): Approximately $6 million available
    • Click here to register for an informational webinar to be presented on Thursday, April 11, 2024, from 12:30 p.m. to 2p.m. 
    • Three application cycles per year are planned for February, May, and September, with specific dates to be announced on the program website. The intent is to award approximately one third of the total available funding each funding cycle, subject to change depending on demand.

Funding Decisions

LPC Grant Awards Round 1, March 2024 

Resources

LPC Grant Program Informational Webinar (April 11, 2024 - recording, slides)

LPC Program Guidelines (Version 2, dated April 9, 2024)

LPC Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (Version 2, dated April 9, 2024)

LPC Grant Application Template of Questions (Version 2, dated April 9, 2024)

LPC Grant Budget Worksheet (Version 2, dated April 9, 2024)

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Contact Information

Initial Interest

Direct inquiries regarding initial program interest to your Regional Manager. Use the other program contacts once the initial process with your Regional Manager is complete.

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