Lake County holds workshop to pursue state 'prohousing' designation, residents push to protect mobile‑home tenants

County staff and a consultant presented the state’s Prohousing Designation and Incentive Program on March 3 and asked the Board of Supervisors for direction to begin the county’s application and 30‑day public review.

Deputy Administrative Officer Lisa Jud and consultant Luke Lindenbush (Fourleaf Inc.) outlined the two‑part program (PDP/PIP) created by Assembly Bill 101. They said a 30‑point threshold is required for designation and additional “enhancement factors” can increase a jurisdiction’s score, which in turn improves eligibility and priority for multiple state funding streams — including a targeted Prohousing Incentive Program (PIP) that can provide flexible matching funds for local housing projects and trusts.

The county’s draft application document, staff said, already places Lake County above the 30‑point threshold but staff urged the board to begin public outreach and adopt a formal resolution authorizing submittal. The county emphasized that while the designation rewards housing production, PIP funds can also be used for preservation or rehabilitation (example cited: a city that used PIP funds to rehabilitate housing for formerly homeless veterans).

Many public commenters at the meeting, however, focused on the current crisis in mobile‑home parks. Speakers asked whether the prohousing application could and would explicitly protect existing low‑income mobile‑home residents and be used to fund rent‑stabilization tools or rehabilitation rather than only new construction. Consultants and staff said preservation and rehabilitation were eligible uses for PIP funds, and that enhancement factors exist for anti‑displacement and fair‑housing actions.

Board members asked whether the designation could speed permitting for ADUs or fund infrastructure (e.g., water/sewer) needed to support new housing. Staff said some funds and priority access could help with infrastructure grants (infill infrastructure; AHSC) and that acceleration of permitting is an eligible menu item if the county adopts appropriate policies.

Next steps: Board consensus to proceed with the 30‑day public review process; staff to return with a resolution authorizing formal submittal and to continue outreach to cities and stakeholders during the public comment period that begins with the workshop.

Key quote: “The prohousing incentive can be used for preservation, for rehabilitation, or for housing production,” consultant Luke Lindenbush told the board, citing examples of prior PIP uses elsewhere.