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Supervisors reauthorize planning department to reapply for state pro‑housing designation
Summary
The board reauthorized the planning and building department to reapply for a California pro‑housing designation so Humboldt County can compete for HCD grants funded in part by real‑estate transaction fees. Staff said the previous application was misplaced by HCD; the resolution passed 5–0.
Planning staff asked the board to reauthorize the county planning and building department to apply for a pro‑housing designation and associated grants from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Director John Ford said the county had applied previously but paperwork was misplaced by HCD, and reapproval was necessary to proceed.
"This has already been approved once for whatever reason, and... it got misplaced or something in HCD," Ford said, urging the board to reauthorize so the county remains eligible for competitive grants to support housing development. Ford explained that the program is competitive and is funded in part by a portion of real-estate transaction fees.
Supervisors asked how the program is funded; Ford confirmed the state uses a portion of real-estate transaction fees to establish competitive grants for jurisdictions designated as pro‑housing communities. Public callers urged the county to consider directing funds toward workforce housing for county employees and cautioned against overconditioning projects to the point they become unbuildable.
The board carried the reauthorization by unanimous consent (5–0). The item positions the county to pursue HCD competitive funding opportunities tied to the pro‑housing designation.
The board then moved into closed session to consider a public‑employee appointment.
