Note: This is a time extension of a Request for Proposals (RFP) originally released on January 7, 2022. Please note the new timeline later in the document. Proposal due date has been extended to March 22, 2022 at 4pm.

To advance efforts and work aimed toward developing affordable housing in San Joaquin County, the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) will conduct a feasibility study to establish a Regional Housing Trust Fund (RHTF), a regional housing priority approved by the SJCOG Board. These priorities were established as a requirement of AB 101 for the purposes of the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) funds allocated to SJCOG to accelerate housing production. Additional priorities approved by the SJCOG Board are identified in the September 2020 Staff Report (Item G) and include: (a) Streamlining the development process, (b) Planning and coordination to develop a regional project pipeline and (c) Supporting local jurisdictions impacted by COVID-19.

For SJCOG and the region, a housing trust fund could support the preservation and production of affordable housing and increase opportunities for families and individuals to access decent affordable homes. With the allocation of REAP funds, SJCOG seeks to develop a framework for a RHTF, which should entail a rigorous planning process to define the parameters of the program, including goals, administration, fund distribution, as well as funding sources. Conceptually, a RHTF would serve as a distinct fund source established by city, county or state governments that receive on-going dedicated sources of public funding to support the preservation and production of affordable housing and increase opportunities for families and individuals to access decent affordable homes.

SJCOG staff circulated a white paper in June 2021 to standing committees, community stakeholders, and the SJCOG Board. Case studies included the housing trust fund in Kalamazoo County and the expansion of housing fees in Sacramento. In Kalamazoo, the county saw success by (1) establishing dedicated uses of program funds in a way that built public support and made a significant impact in the community, (2) taking it slow and (3) gradually evolving to tackle more and expand on its original goals. As for the City of Sacramento, there was an unsuccessful attempt to expand funding. What SJCOG observed and learned from Sacramento city/county was: (1) developer fees can establish a trust fund infrastructure, but they provide limited and inconsistent funding and (2) taxes that establish a permanent, dedicated source of funding for housing trust funds can be a challenging sell.

From these case studies, SJCOG has identified some next steps to facilitate the formation of a RHTF. Next steps include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) building upon SJCOG’s existing regional housing role, (2) taking advantage of new funding opportunities, (3) identifying an initial project to catalyze trust fund establishment, such as the need for permanent supportive housing for houseless residents or supporting houseless school-aged children. Additionally, SJCOG seeks to conduct a financial feasibility analysis and develop a business plan to successfully implement a RHTF.

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