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BACKGROUND <br /> The California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA) is a joint powers <br /> authority (JPA) founded and sponsored by the League of California Cities ("CalCities") and <br /> the California State Association of Counties (CSAC). CSCDA was created by CalCities <br /> and CSAC in 1988 to enable local government and eligible private entities access to low- <br /> cost, tax-exempt financing for projects with public benefits. Pleasanton, along with over <br /> 153 other California cities, counties, special districts, and agencies, is a member of <br /> CSCDA. CSCDA is one of two California JPAs that offer a similar range of programs to <br /> assist with funding and financing of public benefit projects, with the other being the <br /> California Community Housing Agency (CaICHA). <br /> One of the funding programs offered by CSCDA is the Workforce Housing Program, <br /> provided through an affiliate JPA, the CSCDA Community Improvement Authority <br /> (CSCDA-CIA). The Workforce Housing Program (WHP) uses tax-exempt government <br /> bonds issued by CSCDA, which can be used to acquire market-rate rental apartment <br /> buildings. Over time, as tenants transition, units in the project convert to income-restricted <br /> units, aimed at middle/moderate income households with incomes between 80 percent <br /> and 120 percent of Area Median Income (AMI). Typically, there is a mix of income levels <br /> assigned, based in part on the need for the project to generate sufficient rental revenues <br /> to cover operating costs, repay the bonds, etc. In a sample project proposal shared with <br /> the City by CSCDA representatives, units were evenly split between 80 percent AMI, 100 <br /> percent AMI and 120 percent AMI. However, other recently-funded projects have had <br /> different affordability splits — for example, a 2021 project approved in the City of West <br /> Hollywood had a 25 percent, 25 percent, 50 percent split, respectively, among the three <br /> income categories. <br /> The program does not displace existing tenants, and places limits on annual rent <br /> increases to be no more than four percent annually. The program is somewhat unique, <br /> targeting moderate-income units that are typically the most challenging affordability level <br /> to secure and finance, since most state and federal funding for affordable housing is <br /> aimed at lower income tiers (60 percent AMI and below). <br /> In recent months and years, a number of California Cities, including Livermore, Dublin, <br /> Pleasant Hill, Fairfield, and Santa Rosa, have participated in property acquisitions under <br /> the WHP. Over the last few years, the City has been approached by developers and <br /> representatives of both CSCDA and CaICHA, with interest in inviting the City's <br /> participation in a project acquisition. Most recently, in 2021, the City was contacted by Guy <br /> Houston, Field Representative for Opportunity Housing Group (a company that has <br /> acquired several developments through the WHP), with regard to a specific property <br /> acquisition opportunity in Pleasanton, the Avana Stoneridge Apartments. Given the <br /> potential financial and policy implications around participating in a property acquisition <br /> using bonds issued by CSCDA-CIA, City staff advised Mr. Houston and the CSCDA <br /> representative that it would be more appropriate to bring a broader discussion of the <br /> CSCDA program to City Council for review and direction, before making any <br /> recommendation on a specific project proposal, and declined to pursue the immediate <br /> Page 2 of 9 <br />