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Clearlake hears plan to join regional housing trust fund to leverage state matching funds
Summary
County and city staff briefed the council on a proposed Lake County Regional Housing Trust Fund that would pool local contributions to attract state matches and provide gap financing for affordable housing; council asked questions about governance, contributions and priorities and directed staff to return with administrative guidelines.
Clearlake councilmembers on Nov. 7 heard a multi‑jurisdiction presentation on forming a Lake County Regional Housing Trust Fund designed to pool local dollars and leverage state matching funds for affordable housing production, preservation and supportive services.
Lisa Judd, deputy county administrative officer for housing, told the council the trust fund would be a regional mechanism covering the County of Lake, Clearlake and Lakeport. She said the county has identified $2 million in seed funding (a combination of $1 million ARPA and $1 million general fund), and that additional contributions could include permanent local housing allocation (PLHA) dollars, a proposed transient occupancy tax allocation and private donations. Judd described the fund’s intended flexibility — gap financing, land acquisition, rehabilitation, workforce and supportive housing.
Judd said the county would administer the fund with subaccounts for participating jurisdictions and that administrative guidelines would set priorities, contribution levels and decision‑making procedures. She said the intent is to use a NOFA/RFP process or standing rounds so developers and nonprofits can anticipate funding opportunities. The county cited an approximate 1:6 leverage ratio in other models and said the trust fund could be structured to be competitive for state grants.
Council members asked about board composition and whether participating cities or community representatives would have seats; Judd said trustees typically include representatives of participating jurisdictions and community stakeholders and that administrative guidelines would spell out membership and voting rules. Councilmembers also asked about types of projects funded — Judd reiterated that priorities would be tailored to the housing element, the county’s work plan and local needs.
Several members expressed support for a regional approach and directed staff to continue discussions with the county and return with a formal adoption item. The city manager said staff will bring administrative guideline proposals back to council on Dec. 5 for further consideration.
No formal commitment beyond staff direction was made at the meeting; council discussion noted the relatively low initial city contribution being proposed as a low‑risk way to participate and to gain access to matching funds.
The council requested that staff ensure accountability, clear tracking of contributions and a transparent award process before finalizing participation terms.
