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Board authorizes PLHA Amendment 5 to reallocate local housing funds, covering Greenfield Commons and first-time buyer programs
Summary
Monterey County authorized an amendment to its Public Housing Local Allocation (PLHA) plan to reclassify previous activity allocations and secure funding commitments for Greenfield Commons and new first-time homebuyer assistance; the board approved the amendment by unanimous vote.
The Monterey County Board of Supervisors authorized staff to request California Department of Housing and Community Development approval for Amendment 5 to the county's Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) plan on June 17.
Housing staff explained the PLHA program (created by the state's Building Homes and Jobs Act) allocates revenues from a real-estate recording fee to local housing activities. Monterey County and several smaller jurisdictions (Carmel-by-the-Sea, Greenfield, Soledad) pooled formula grants over five years; total allocation across jurisdictions is roughly $5.63 million for the five-year period.
Amendment 5 adjusts earlier activity classifications so the county can meet a state rule that 40 percent of remaining PLHA funds be used for affordable owner and workforce housing (AOWH). Housing staff said one previously listed activity (activity 3) did not properly match Greenfield Commons' funding and must be moved into activity 1 (rental multifamily) or activity 9 (first-time homebuyer assistance) as appropriate. Staff proposed using activity 1 to cover Greenfield Commons and activity 9 to set up a countywide first-time homebuyer assistance program and to meet the AOWH requirement.
Housing staff said Greenfield Commons is moving forward (a planned multifamily rental complex) and that activity reclassifications and percentage adjustments are needed to ensure the county meets state PLHA requirements and county funding commitments. The board moved and seconded approval of the staff recommendation; no public comment was raised on the amendment and the motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: The amendment reassigns existing PLHA allocations to ensure compliance with state rules and to establish a county-administered first-time homebuyer assistance program. Funds also support community services paid through activity 6 and partial administrative set-asides.
Ending: Staff will submit Amendment 5 to the state and continue to implement Greenfield Commons and the planned first-time buyer assistance activities once the amendment is approved.
