The Local Early Action Planning Grants Program (LEAP) is part of the broader Program formerly known as the Local Government Planning Support Grants Program, which was established as part of the 2019-20 Budget Act. The 2019-20 Budget Act provides a spectrum of support, incentives, resources and accountability to meet California’s housing goals. Some specific elements include:
• Planning Support (local and regional planning grants)
• Incentives (Pro-housing preference and infill incentive grants)
• Funding Resources
• Accountability (penalties for noncompliant housing plans)
• Reform (collaborative processes to reform regional housing needs)
The Local Government Planning Support Grants 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 (1) accelerate housing production; and (2) facilitate compliance to implement the sixth cycle of the regional housing need assessment (RHNA).
Grants are available to eligible applicants on a noncompetitive, Over-the-Counter (OTC) basis. A local match is not required. Applications will be accepted up until July 1, 2020.
Eligible applicants are limited to local governments, i.e., cities and counties. Eligible activities must demonstrate an increase in housing related planning activities and facilitate accelerated housing production. Eligible activities may be part of a larger planning effort (e.g., a comprehensive zoning code update). Eligible activities are not necessarily jurisdiction-wide and may include a smaller geography with a significant impact on housing production.
Applicants must propose and document plans or processes that increase housing planning and facilitate accelerating local housing production. The application must demonstrate a significant positive effect on accelerating housing production through timing, cost, approval certainty, entitlement streamlining, feasibility, infrastructure capacity, or impact on housing supply and affordability. An application must include an explanation and documentation of the nexus to accelerating housing production.
In order to be eligible for grant funding, an applicant must submit a completed application prior to July 1, 2020. Successful applicants will receive an Award Letter from the Department and will be awarded funds. Applicants will enter into a state Standard Agreement (Standard Agreement) for distribution of funds. The Standard Agreement process will specify, among other things, the amount of funds granted, timeline for expenditure of funds, and the approved use of funds. Expenditure report dates and other requirements will also be identified in the Standard Agreement.