Planning Commission backs 2024 housing element progress report; highlights funding, projects and tenant protections

The Salinas Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council approve the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report and authorize submittal to the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the Governor's Office of Planning and Research. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with Commissioners Rocamora, Almanza Larios, Meeks and Vice Chair Purnell voting yes; no commissioners voted no.

Staff from the housing division presented the report and highlighted funding received, pending applications, active projects and newly adopted tenant protections. Monica Flores, community development analyst, said the city received $2,100,000 from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual allocation and $700,000 in HOME Investment Partnership Program funds for the 2021 award cycle. The housing staff also reported pending state applications: $1,600,000 to the Local Housing Trust Fund and $1,250,000 to the Pro-Housing…