The City of Long Beach has been recognized by the state as a local government agency that is committed to policies and practices that remove barriers to housing production. The Prohousing Designation by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) will also give the city and housing developers a scoring edge when competing with other agencies for various state housing grant and loan programs.
“This recognition illustrates that our city is doing things right when it comes to taking on the challenge of increasing housing production, especially affordable housing,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “We are proud to receive this designation because it shows that we can be accountable and innovative in doing our part to provide housing solutions and to help our unhoused neighbors.”
The state’s Prohousing Designation, announced by the HCD earlier today, is exceptional because it is given to only a handful of cities and counties across the state each year. The special classification provides Long Beach with additional points and other preferences in the scoring of certain competitive housing, community development and infrastructure grant and loan funding programs administered by the HCD. The designation was received following an extensive application process submitted by the Development Services Department as part of its ongoing work to seek best consideration on competitive programs.
“Creative efforts to enhance state and local partnerships are essential to meeting ambitious and necessary state housing goals,” said Gustavo Velasquez, HCD Director. “We recognize today local governments that are breaking down barriers to affordable housing – and reward those good actors with incentives to enhance the work they are already doing.”
The state’s Prohousing Designation Program was established in Governor Gavin Newsom’s fiscal year 2019-2020 budget as part of a spectrum of support, incentives and accountability measures to help meet California’s housing goals.
“We are absolutely committed to eliminating bureaucratic obstacles and increasing the availability of housing citywide as a way to better the quality of life in Long Beach,” said Christopher Koontz, Director of Development Services. “We are ready to work carefully with developers and community members on smart planning and seamless permitting services to help get projects started and completed.”
As part of its ongoing work to secure additional state housing grant and loan programs, the City has recently applied for an Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) grant in collaboration with AMCAL, a local housing development partner. The AHSC grant submittal is another example of how the City is working with various community organizations, government agencies and developers to seek out viable opportunities for construction of affordable housing.
For specific questions about the City’s Prohousing Designation, the public may contact Kjell Stava, Real Estate Project Coordinator at 562.570.6315 or Kjell.Stava@longbeach.gov. Additional information is available at longbeach.gov/lbds.
About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health and Human Services; Parks, Recreation and Marine; Development Services; Public Works and more. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, 12 libraries, five golf courses, 169 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths and a Bike Share program.
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