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Modesto council authorizes staff to apply for state Prohousing Designation to boost housing grant competitiveness
Summary
City staff reported Modesto scored 35 points against a 30‑point minimum for California’s Prohousing Designation and council unanimously authorized submission of the application; staff cited zoning allowances (duplexes and ADUs), one‑stop permitting, fee reductions and housing programs as supporting materials.
City staff presented the Prohousing Designation application—a state program that recognizes jurisdictions that reduce barriers to housing—and asked council to authorize submission. Jessica Hill, director of community and economic development, said the city’s initial self‑assessment yielded 35 points (30 points required) across four criteria: zoning/land use, acceleration of housing production, cost reductions and financial subsidies.
Hill highlighted local policies that supported the application: permissive duplex allowances, accessory dwelling unit (ADU) options, one‑stop permitting, affordable‑housing fee reductions, and rehabilitation programs. Staff also reported a required homeless‑encampment questionnaire and a 30‑day public review that produced four supportive comments and some concerns about growth and farmland.
During the hearing, a public commenter (Teresa Gamboa) urged the council to consider parking and neighborhood impacts as zoning changes and increased densities are implemented. Councilmembers expressed support for pursuing the designation as a tool to improve grant competitiveness and increase housing production; the council unanimously authorized staff to submit the final application to the state.
Why it matters: The designation can make the city more competitive for state housing grants and formally recognize local policies that support housing production across income levels.
Next steps: Staff will submit the final application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development and await the state’s review; the city expects the state to take roughly 60 days to respond, per staff comments.
