The Glendale City Council on Dec. 16 approved and authorized submittal of the fiscal year 2025–26 Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (La Casa) budget for Measure A funds, approving roughly $5.1 million in allocations to the city and adopting a resolution of appropriation.

Housing Director Peter Zovac told the council the total allocation for Glendale is approximately $5,100,000, divided into roughly $2,000,000 for new construction projects, $600,000 for rehabilitation, $2,100,000 for rental protection and homelessness-prevention programs, and about $350,000 for technical assistance such as staff development and consulting. Zovac said many subprojects will return to the council for specific approvals, and that La Casa’s rules permit some flexibility but require reporting and timelines.

The budget packet and resolution were presented by staff as a two-part request: a council motion to adopt and authorize submittal of the La Casa program budget, and a separate resolution to appropriate the funds. City staff reminded members that, after the council adopts the local program budget and La Casa (the county agency) adopts it, Glendale will have one year to obligate the new-construction portion (to show a binding commitment such as being in escrow or closing on property) and three years to expend the funds. Staff said La Casa has indicated it prefers funds be deployed and that clawbacks are a last resort, and that the agency is open to dialogue and potential extension requests if needed.

Council discussion focused on how flexible the category allocations are and what the term ‘soft costs’ covers. Staff explained that movement of funds is permitted within category sub-allocations (for example, shifting unused program-administration dollars into direct assistance where allowed), and that soft costs typically cover staffing, consultant services and program administration.

Councilmembers discussed using city-owned land for projects — staff said city-acquired parcels may be used for affordable housing without necessarily purchasing property on the open market if the use meets La Casa’s affordable-housing requirements.

A councilmember moved to approve both motions and another seconded; the clerk conducted a roll-call vote and each member present voted yes. The motion to adopt and authorize submission of the La Casa FY25–26 budget for Measure A funds and the related resolution of appropriation passed unanimously.

Action and next steps: staff will submit the adopted program budget to La Casa and pursue project identification for the new-construction allocation within the one-year obligation window; any specific construction or rehabilitation projects will be brought back to the council for separate approvals.