In September 2017, the California Legislature approved Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), known as the Building Homes and Jobs Act (Act), which established a $75 recording fee on real estate documents to increase the supply of affordable housing. The Act establishes the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) program administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The PLHA provides a permanent source of funding to cities and counties to help meet the unmet need for affordable housing and increase the supply of affordable housing units.
Under the PLHA, funding is provided through formula grants to entitlement jurisdictions based on the formula prescribed under federal law for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program over a five-year funding period, as well as through a competitive grant program to non-entitlement jurisdictions. The City of Norwalk is an entitlement jurisdiction and is eligible to receive approximately $3,556,572, over the five-year funding period. It is important to note that this is only an estimate since annual PLHA amounts are subject to change. This is because funding for the PLHA is generated through a fee on real estate transactions, which may fluctuate from year to year.
The State requires entitlement jurisdictions to use PLHA funds to increase the supply of affordable housing. In order to receive PLHA funds, the City is required to submit a PLHA Plan (Plan), click HERE for a copy, detailing the manner in which allocated funds will be used; a description of the way the Local government will prioritize investments that increase the supply of housing for households at or below 60 percent of AMI; a description of how the Plan is consistent with the programs set forth in the City’s Housing Element; and evidence that the Plan was authorized and adopted by resolution by the City Council and that the public had an adequate opportunity to review and comment on its content.
