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Stockton council adopts new NOFA process and housing‑element amendment to speed affordable housing pipeline
Summary
City council approved a revamped NOFA process — two annual NOFAs (housing and community support services), mandatory webinars for nonprofit applicants, a pass/fail risk screen and published scoring — and adopted a code amendment to implement the 2023–2031 housing element allowing certain multifamily projects by‑right when they meet standards.
Stockton — The council on Nov. 4 approved a consolidated, more transparent Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) process and adopted code language to implement a by‑right allowance in the city’s housing element.
Economic Development Director Tina McCarty outlined a two‑track NOFA plan: one NOFA for housing (affordable and mixed‑income developments) and a second for community support services (nonprofits and service providers). The community support NOFA will include mandatory applicant webinars, online office hours, a pass/fail risk screening spreadsheet, a standardized weighted scoring matrix and a role for the Community Development Committee (CDC) to supply 20% of final scoring when applicable. McCarty said technical reviewers will tabulate scores and council will receive full scoring tabulations at least two weeks before action, with a 24‑hour window to request in‑person review time.
Council also adopted a code amendment to Title 16 to implement Program 3 of the 2023–2031 Stockton Housing Element, intended to allow qualifying multifamily projects (including a 20% affordable component) to proceed by‑right without discretionary hearings provided they meet objective standards. Public comment urged clear enforcement and remedies when developers do not deliver promised affordable units; one resident asked for consequences and better transparency around model ordinances referenced in state correspondence.
Council members supported the process changes and asked staff to clarify confidentiality and reading‑room access for council members; the city attorney confirmed elected officials may receive non‑public proposal packages in the scope of duties without waiving public‑records protections. Council approved the NOFA process and the housing code amendment unanimously.
