Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grants

Background

Affordable housing is a critical need in California. Governor Newsom has tasked all cities and counties to do their part by prioritizing planning activities that accelerate housing production. To help cities and counties, HCD is providing funding, incentives, and resources to local governments and regional entities. One of these funding incentives — the Local Early Action Planning Grants Program (LEAP) —is available to local governments. (Coming soon for regional entities – Regional Action Planning Grants webpage Funding for both the Local Action Planning Grants and Regional Action Planning Grants was included in the 2019-20 Budget Act.

Purpose

The Local Action Planning Grants (LEAP), provides over-the-counter grants complemented with technical assistance to local governments for the preparation and adoption of planning documents, and process improvements that:

1. Accelerate housing production
2. Facilitate compliance to implement the sixth-cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment.

Application Review and Requirements

Applications will be submitted on an over-the-counter basis.

Jurisdictions must submit their applications by July 1, 2020; however, HCD strongly encourages jurisdictions to submit their applications as soon as possible.

For more information on the application process, please refer to the NOFA under Get Funding below.

Eligible Activities

Eligible activities must be related to housing planning and facilitate the streamlining and acceleration of housing production.

For more information on eligible activities, please refer to the NOFA under Get Funding below.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are limited to local governments, i.e., cities and counties.

However, local governments may partner through legally binding agreements with other forms of governments or entities where the proposal will have a direct effect on land-use or development within the participating localities. This includes, but is not limited to, partnerships with other localities, regional governments, housing authorities, school districts, special districts, community-based organizations, or any duly constituted governing body of an Indian Reservation or Rancheria.

Applicants forming partnerships, must submit separate, complete, and signed application packages, including resolutions and a copy of the signed agreement between partners to in order to be awarded funds.

Program Timeline

February 2020 - NOFA Release: Early-Mid February 2020
July 2020 - Over-the-counter period: NOFA Release to July 1, 2020
2020 - Awards: Ongoing, upon the submission of an application
December 2023 - Expenditure Deadline: December 31, 2023
2020-2023 - Technical Assistance: March, 2020-2023

Get Funding

• NOFA (PDF)
• Application (PDF)
• Maximum Grant Amounts per Jurisdiction (PDF)

Workshop Dates and Locations

In addition to the NOFA Workshops below, HCD will be hosting regional technical assistance workshops at a regional, sub-regional, and county level. In the event that you are not able to attend one of these workshops, there will be additional opportunity to learn about the program and receive assistance on applying.

LEAP NOFA WORKSHOP Los Angeles, CA Thursday, February 20, 2020 1:00 – 3:30PM Location: 900 Wilshire Blvd, Ste. 1700 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Register for the Workshop

LEAP NOFA WORKSHOP San Francisco, CA Friday, February 21, 2020 1:00 – 3:30PM Location: Bay Area Metro Center Board Room – 1st Floor 375 Beale Street San Francisco, CA 94105 Register for the Workshop

LEAP NOFA WEBINAR LEAP NOFA Workshop Webinar Contact EarlyActionPlanning@hcd.ca.gov for more information.

LEAP NOFA WORKSHOP Butte County, CA Wednesday, February 26, 2020 1:30 – 3:30PM Location: Building E, BCAG Board Room 326 Huss Drive Chico CA, 95928 Register for the Workshop

Coming Soon – Technical Assistance Workshops March – May 2020 Technical Assistance Workshops will be hosted at a regional, sub-regional, and county level and will provide applications with targeted TA such as application assistance.

Technical Assistance

LEAP’s TA program is coming soon! TA services will include

• Assistance with identifying activities
• Feedback on applications
• Review of draft applications
• And more!

Resources

Visit HCD’s Accelerating Housing Production webpage.