HomeMy WebLinkAboutRUSH Application DraftREGIONAL UTILITIES TO SUPPORT HOUSING (RUSH)
PROGRAM APPLICATION-CAPITAL PROJECTS
Non-transportation utilities infrastructure planning and improvements
Submittal Instructions
Issued: September 11, 2023
Responses due by 11:59 p.m. on November 6, 2023
The application must be submitted in pdf format with supporting materials with excel-based templates in excel format. All documents should be submitted as separate files.
Applications can be submitted at any time during the application period. SCAG will consider all applications submitted during the application period received at the closing time and
day.
More information at: www.scag.ca.gov/reap2021
Submit completed applications along with all required attachments, and any to: housing@scag.ca.gov with “RUSH Application – Capital Projects, Entity Name” in the subject line. An emailed
drop box link is also acceptable.
Table of Contents
Submittal Instructions 1
Introduction 3
Office Hours and Technical Assistance 4
Application 8
Submittal Checklist 8
Section 1. Application Terms and Signature 9
Section 2: Minimum Requirements 10
Section 3: Contact Information and Project Description 12
Section 4: Evaluation Criteria (Scored) 14
Introduction
SCAG has allocated a total of $35M to the RUSH Pilot Program. The Program is focused on utility infrastructure planning and capital improvements that will support a jurisdiction meet
the housing production goals defined in the 6th cycle RHNA and housing elements and that meet REAP 2 Program Goals and Objectives. Projects should include building capacity for a sizable
number of housing units and work towards addressing housing affordability.
RUSH aims to fund transformative and significant utility infrastructure plans and projects, including green infrastructure that increases water supply (such as permeable pavements and
urban greening that increase stormwater capture). Increasing sustainable energy production investments and water infrastructure and conservation practices is essential to fulfill the
1.3 million units of housing required in the 6th cycle Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
SCAG strongly encourages applications to embed resilience and adaptation in project proposals. This can be done through addressing climate hazards (for example, extreme heat mitigation)
and including nature-based solutions (such as green infrastructure) that can support system utility capacity and reduce overall housing production cost.
All projects MUST include a clear nexus to housing production in infill areas. Eligible project types include:
Infrastructure Planning – Creating plans and programs, including green infrastructure plans, to support increased utility capacity in areas designated for residential development in
Housing Elements. These programs should increase utility capacity, lower the cost of residential development at scale and include green elements. Potential projects could include,
but are not limited to the following:
Developing an analysis to update developer utility fees to avoid concentration of infrastructure upgrade costs and creating a capital improvement plan or updating an existing one.
Creating a Capital Improvement Plan
Creating a Green Infrastructure Plan
Digital Utility Data Inventory Tools
Developing Cost Estimating Tools for Utility Improvements and Connections
Pilot Innovations
Capital Projects – Projects that address current and future utility restrictions in housing development through upgrading infrastructure for sewer, water, stormwater, and dry utilities
systems. These projects would enable continued infill housing production despite restricted utilities that would otherwise prevent current or future development. Potential projects
could include, but are not limited to the following:
Innovative Green Infrastructure: Expanding system capacity, such as greywater recycling, stormwater capture, direct water recycling projects for residential development, and other sustainable
or resilience-based approaches that expand system capacity.
Innovative Wet or dry utility system upgrades and points of connection to support transformative and scalable affordable housing.
For the purposes of the RUSH program, capital projects must be able to demonstrate they can feasibly and reasonably complete construction and project close out with SCAG by December
31, 2025. The applicant must demonstrate the ability to complete this in budget/timeline, scope/deliverables, and delivery basics workbook in the submitted applications.
A total of $35M has been allocated to the RUSH Program for the capital and infrastructure planning categories. Up to $30M will be allocated to Capital Projects, with a maximum award
of up to $10M per application, and with the goal of funding at least three (3) projects in the SCAG region. Up to $5M will be allocated to the Infrastructure Planning Projects, with
maximum awards between $800K- $1M, and with the goal of funding at least six (6) projects in the SCAG region. Efforts will be made to ensure that proposals selected reflect the geographic
diversity of the Southern California region within infill areas. Depending on interest in the program, funding requests could be awarded in full or in part.
Please see PATH Guidelines for more detail on eligible activities.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants must be a(n):
SCAG Counties or Cities or,
Tribal Entity with regulatory land use authority (within the SCAG Region) or,
Public Agencies with role in housing production (within the SCAG Region).
Office Hours and Technical Assistance
SCAG staff is available to respond to questions and discuss proposed projects. An applicant does not need to have a project fully developed to participate in one-on-one consultations.
Efforts will be made to accommodate meeting requests. There is no limit to the number of meetings possible. Interested applicants can visit SCAG’s REAP 2021 webpage at: www.scag.ca.gov/reap2021
to schedule an appointment and for information about technical assistance available, visit https://scag.ca.gov/programs-accelerate-transformative-housing-path
Submit questions and, requests for additional information by email with “RUSH Application – Capital” in the subject line to: housing@scag.ca.gov
Feedback on an application or a proposed project shared by SCAG staff should not be considered an indication the proposed application or project will be awarded funding. Please see the
PATH Program Guidelines for information on overall program requirements, program objectives and evaluation criteria.
Selection Process
Each of the three funding areas in the PATH Program will begin with a call for applications. The application will be made available when the call is announced. The call will specify
the period during which applications
will be accepted. While each call is open, an applicant may amend a response that has been submitted up to the response due date and time (close of the call). Once the call is closed,
no further amendments are allowed. Applicants are encouraged to take advantage of SCAG’s technical assistance that is available. More information is provided below and at www.scag.ca.gov/reap2021.
SCAG staff will review all responses received during an open call in two (2) stages: 1) Completeness (see the application submittal checklist) and 2) Technical Scoring and Evaluation.
The Completeness Review evaluates the completeness of the application and compliance with the submittal requirements. If all requirements are not met, SCAG staff will notify the applicant
that the application is incomplete and will not be considered. Submitted application materials will not be returned. Results of the Completeness review are final and may not be appealed.
SCAG may, in its sole discretion, request additional information or clarification of any portion of an application from the applicant and its applicant team.
Applications that pass Completeness Review move to Technical Scoring and Evaluation, which evaluates projects based on the Project Application Scoring Criteria. All complete applications
will be evaluated by a selection panel using the scoring rubric and evaluation criteria provided in Section 4 of the application. The selection panel may request additional information
or clarification of any portion of an application from applicants related to the scoring criteria. The selection panelists’ scores for each application will be compiled to produce the
final score. The selection panel will then meet to determine the final ranking of applications. Applicants will be notified of their score. Selected applications will be issued a conditional
award letter and recommended for funding to the Regional Council. All conditional awards are provisional until approved by the Regional Council.
Selection Process Timeline
The following selection process timeline has been developed for the RUSH Pilot Program, subject to change.
Regional Utilities Supporting Housing (RUSH) Pilot Program
Application Period Opens:
September 11, 2023
Application Workshop:
See website for workshop date
Application Consultation and Office Hours:
September – November 2023
Application Due Date: (Applications can be submitted prior to but will be considered after the application due date)
November 6, 2023
Closes at 11:59PM PDT
Evaluation Period:
November – December 2023
Conditional Notice of Awards issued:
Early 2024
Regional Council Approval of Awards:
Early 2024
Initiate Funding Agreements:
Early 2024
Administrative Provisions
SCAG’s Rights and Responsibilities
SCAG reserves the right to change the requirements and policies described in this Program Application at SCAG’s sole discretion. SCAG is responsible only for what is expressly stated
in the Program Application, any authorized written addenda, and any posted Questions and Answers. Such addenda shall be made available to each person or organization via SCAG’s REAP
2021 webpage (www.scag.ca.gov/reap2021). It is the responsibility of applicants to ensure, prior to submission, that their application reflects the most recent addenda information,
program requirements, and policies. By submission of an application, each applicant acknowledges receipt of all addenda, if any, that are emailed or posted on the SCAG REAP 2021 website.
SCAG is not responsible for and shall not be bound by any representations otherwise made by any individual acting or purporting to act on its behalf if those representations conflict
with Program Application requirements.
SCAG’S Discretion
SCAG reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any application that is incomplete, out of order, lacks required attachments, or contains other content errors, inconsistencies,
misrepresented information, or other deficiencies. Forms provided in the Program Application must be used and information provided otherwise may be disregarded at SCAG’s discretion.
SCAG reserves the right to waive disparities in a proposal if the sum and substance of the application is present. Furthermore, SCAG reserves the right to terminate this program at
any time without prior notice.
Cost of Application Preparation
The cost of application preparation shall be borne by the applicant. In no event shall SCAG be liable for any expenses incurred in the preparation and submission of the application.
Application is Property of SCAG
Once submitted, each application becomes the property SCAG and becomes a public record. SCAG is not liable for the public disclosure of any information contained in an application.
Encumbrance and Expenditure Periods
All funding awards must be encumbered, meaning the MOU between SCAG and the awarded applicant (sub-recipient) is executed, by January 30, 2024, unless extended in advance in writing
by SCAG. Regardless of any extension, funding awards must be encumbered before June 30, 2024. To meet the state program deadline and receive reimbursement, all invoices must be submitted
to SCAG no later than December 31, 2025, unless extended in advance in writing by SCAG. SCAG cannot guarantee invoices received after this date will be reimbursed. Regardless of any
extension granted, all funds must be fully expended and final reports submitted to SCAG before June 30, 2026.
RUSH PROGRAM APPLICATION-CAPITAL PROJECTS SECTIONS 1-4
Application
To be considered for the RUSH Program, the applicant must be eligible and file a completed application with all required attachments before the close of the call for applications.
Submittal Checklist
Please check each box in the lists below as each is completed.
The application includes the following sections, which must be filled out completely:
☐Section 1. Application Terms and Signature
☐ Section 2. Minimum Requirements
☐ Section 3. Contact Information and Project Description
☐ Section 4. Evaluation Criteria
The following attachments must accompany the completed application:
☐ Budget/Timeline, Scope/Deliverable, and Delivery Basics Workbook for Capital Projects
(Use Provided Excel Template, complete all 3 tabs)
☒ Project Area Maps (Guidance on creating and saving the maps is provided at www.scag.ca.gov/reap2021)
Map showing that the project area meets the definition of infill, (refer to Infill Guidance Document);
Map(s) depicting the Disadvantaged Communities and Communities of Concern support by the project (refer to REAP 2.0 Mapping Indicator Tool);
Map(s) of the Priority Growth Area(s) in the project area (refer to REAP 2.0 Mapping Indicator Tool).
☒ Letter of Support (from a third-party organization that the project meets local housing needs)
Section 1. Application Terms and Signature
A person duly authorized to sign for the entity (city manager, general manager, executive director, planning director or equivalent) must sign and certify the application. If this application
is selected for funding, the information contained in this application will become the foundation of a funding agreement with SCAG. Applicants should be aware that SCAG may place stipulations
on the project as a condition of the approval. These will be noted at the time of the funding recommendation. SCAG can also withdraw funding if the agency does not comply with the terms
of the funding agreement.
Funding available under this Program Application is dependent upon SCAG’s receipt of Regional Early Action Planning Grant (REAP 2.0) funds from the State of California. In the event
funds offered through this Program Application are not available, SCAG, at its sole discretion, may terminate its obligations resulting from this Program Application.
SCAG reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any and all applications in whole or in part.
Acceptance by SCAG of an application under this Program Application constitutes agreement by the applicant as to all terms, conditions, requirements, and rules of the application but
does not constitute a contract or commitment of any kind.
☒ I confirm that I have reviewed the Submittal Checklist and that all application sections and required attachments have been filled out completely and will be submitted together following
the Submittal Instructions.
☒ To the best of my knowledge, all information contained in this application is true and correct. If awarded funding from SCAG, I agree that I will adhere to the program guidelines,
as well as provide a local resolution evidencing authorization to execute a funding agreement and receive funds.
Click or tap here to enter text.
Signature
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Date
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Print Name
Click or tap here to enter text.
Title
Click or tap here to enter text.
Entity Name
Section 2: Minimum Requirements
The following requirements establish eligibility to apply.
Section 2.1: Eligibility
The applicant must meet the following criteria:
Project is submitted by an Eligible Applicant (see page 4 of application).
Project is located in an Infill Area per REAP 2.0 Infill Definition (see Section 2.2).
Project scope aligns with REAP 2.0 Eligible Activities (see PATH Guidelines for Eligible Activities).
Does the applicant meet the applicant eligibility requirements as described above?
☒ Yes
☐ No
Is the applicant the implementing agency?
☒ Yes
☐ No
If the applicant is not the implementing agency, state the name of the implementing agency, their role in the project and their involvement to-date:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Does the applicant and implementing agency have a demonstrated track record in successfully completing similar projects? The applicant will be asked to detail their experience in completing
similar projects including the experience of any key personnel managing the project in Section 4.3.3 of the application.
☒ Yes
☐ No
If the applicant does not meet the applicant eligibility requirements, do not proceed. Your entity is not eligible.
Section 2.2: Project Meets Infill Definition
Eligible projects must be entirely located in infill areas per the definition below.
Check all boxes that apply to your project. The project must be entirely within areas meeting Part A and Part B, and either Part C-1 or Part C-2. The State defines “infill”, for the
purposes of the REAP 2.0 Program, as follows:
☒ Part A: The area consists of unused or underutilized lands
☒ Part B: Within existing development patterns
☐ Part C: That is or will be accessible to destinations and daily services by transit, walking, or bicycling and located in either:
☐ Part C-1: An urban center, urban corridor, or area with transit-supportive densities, OR
☒ Part C-2: An established community that meets all the following criteria:
☒ 2.1: The area consists of previously consisted of qualified urban uses
☒ 2.2: The area is predominantly surrounded (approximately 75 percent of the perimeter) by parcels that are developed or previously developed with qualified urban uses. In counting this,
perimeters bordering navigable bodies of water and improved parks shall not be included,
☒ 2.3: No parcel within or adjoining the area is classified as agricultural or natural and working lands.
Is the totality of your project located in an infill area, as defined above?
☒ Yes
☐ No
If your project area meets the definition of infill, please follow the instructions provided in the Infill Guidance Document posted on the scag.ca.gov/reap2021 webpage to create and
save an area map of your project area that visually identifies how all activities meet the definition of infill. This map must accompany your submitted application.
If your project area does not meet the definition of infill, do not proceed. Your project is not eligible.
Section 3: Contact Information and Project Description
Section 3.1: Applicant Information
Applicant Name: City of Palm Desert
Description of the entity: Local Government
Address: 73-510 Fred Waring Dr
Application Contact Name: Joe Barron Title: Grants Coordinator
Email: jbarron@palmdesert.gov Phone: 760.776.6491
Number of Applications Submitted: 1
If you are submitting multiple RUSH applications, please prioritize them below by Project Title:
Priority #1: Click or tap here to enter text.
Priority #2: Click or tap here to enter text.
Priority #3: Click or tap here to enter text.
Section 3.2: Project Name and Location
Funding Proposal Title: Flood Control Infrastructure for Housing Need
Project Site: Describe the project area boundary (including street names and boundaries) by jurisdiction, tribal governments, project location or, area coverage and how it relates to
housing element sites and/or needs in the community.
The proposed project site is located entirely within the City of Palm Desert in the Coachella Valley, extending west of the 10 freeway North of Dinah Shore Drive from the underutilized
land Southeast of Monterey Avenue and North West of the intersection of Dinah Shore Drive and Cook, and East of Gerald Ford Dr from North of Frank Sinatra Drive and South of Cook Street.
The total project area covers 4.0 linear miles along Interstate 10, and the project is directly Southeast of the Tribal lands of the Agua Caliente Tribe of Cahuilla Indians. The City
has one existing affordable housing complex on the project site – the Spanish Walk apartments, which accounts for approximately 300 multifamily housing units. There are 3 additional
affordable housing developments planned for construction on the project site that will be the planning or construction phase within 6 months of November 2023. This corridor along Interstate-10
experienced a high level of flooding and property damage in August 2023 due to the devastating impact of Tropical Storm Hilary on the City of Palm Desert and the greater Coachella Valley.
The immense property damage, mudslides, and negative quality of life impacts on the project site area, particularly the existing residents of the Spanish Walk complex, necessitate the
urgent and pressing need for flood control and stormwater infrastructure along this corridor, to facilitate the health and safety of current residents, and the feasibility of the City’s
planned affordable housing complexes and parks on these underutilized lands.
Subregion or COG: Coachella Valley Association of Governments County: Riverside
Estimated Project Costs: Click or tap here to enter text.
Requested Amount: Click or tap here to enter text.
Local Match/Other Sources (Not Required): 5,000,000
Section 3.3: Project Description
Please include a short description for the proposed project and relevant details and dates below, including how the project will expand utility capacity to serve housing needs in the
community and advance resilience. The project description should align with the information included in the budget, timeline, scope, deliverables, and delivery basics workbook that
is linked in Section 4.3.3. In your response, describe the status of the project and whether this is a phase of a larger project. [250-word limit]
The project, which will be completed by the grant performance period timeline of December 2025, will expand the City’s utility capacity to mitigate future severe flooding that could
damage ongoing developments and existing affordable housing infrastructure along the I-10 corridor and the project site. The City is currently engaged in acquisition negotiations for
the remaining land, with a projected $5 million to fully acquire all the proposed lots which will house the proposed flood control measures. This will include retention ponds, stormwater
diversion channels, stormwater parks, detention basins, and storm drains along the project site. The project site is currently graded and does not have sufficient drainage structures
and mitigation measures that allow for sufficient diversion and management of stormwater floods – which lead to the major property damage and flooding during Tropical Storm Hilary.
Expanding this utility capacity will ensure that in the case of a future storm occurring, as is expected to occur more frequently with ongoing climate crisis concerns, the existing
Spanish Walk complex and future proposed developments are protected from hazardous stormwater and flood impacts. The City’s cost of acquisition ($5 million) will serve as the proposed
project match, with the remaining funding required to fully improve all proposed project sites being requested through the REAP 2.0 PATH program. If awarded, this project will fully
protect and mitigate these critical housing sites from future flood and stormwater damage. As the project is still currently in the acquisition/pre-planning phase, exact linear footage
and basin capacity is to be determined.
Section 3.4: Connect SoCal Priority Growth Areas
Priority Growth Areas (PGAs) follow the principles of center-focused placemaking and are locations where many Connect SoCal strategies can be fully realized. Projects do not need to
be in PGAs to be eligible for funding. The map will help describe how your project contributes to regional transformative change, which is one of the evaluation criteria in Section
4.5. For more information on PGAs please see the 2020 Connect SoCal Plan (page 50).
Instructions for using the SCAG mapping tool are available online at https://scag.ca.gov/programs-accelerate-transformative-housing-path. This map must accompany your submitted application.
Although listed as PGA in Connect SoCal, Spheres of Influence do not qualify for REAP 2.0 funding.
Please use the REAP 2.0 Indicator Mapping Tool to create and save a map of your project area that visually identifies how all PGAs and check off which layers that apply below.
☒ Job Centers
☐ Transit Priority Areas
☐ High Quality Transit Areas
☐ Neighborhood Mobility Areas
☐ Livable Corridors
Section 4: Evaluation Criteria (Scored)
All applications that meet the minimum requirements in Section 2 and 3 will be scored on how the project meets: (1) the REAP 2.0 Program Goals and Objectives and SCAG Key Priorities,
and (2) provides Transformative and Significant Beneficial impacts in relation to the following criteria. More detail on each of the criteria is provided below as well as in Section
3.2 of the PATH Program Guidelines.
Please note that responses for all scored questions must score a one (1) or greater to be eligible for funding. In each response, please include information about how the project connects
to and implements the Housing Supportive Infrastructure Key Connection in the Connect SoCal SCS (see Section 3.4 for more information and a link to the Connect SoCal Plan).
Evaluation Criteria
Unweighted Points Possible
Weighting Factor
Percent of Total
1
Lead to a Transformative Significant Beneficial Impact
15
45%
1.1
Accelerate Infill Development that facilitates housing supply, choice, and affordability.
5
3
15%
1.2
Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH)
5
3
15%
1.3
Reduce Vehicle Miles Travelled
5
3
15%
2
Equitable Targeted Outreach
10
10%
2.1
Engagement with Disadvantaged and Historically Underserved Communities
5
1
5%
2.2
Inclusive, Diverse, and Equitable Engagement
5
1
5%
3
Leverage Partnerships, Policy Match, Building Local Capacity, Ability to Complete the Project, and Cost Effectiveness
25
25%
3.1
Existing or Prior Local Policy Commitment
5
1
5%
3.2
Partnerships or Financial Match
5
1
5%
3.3
Ability to Complete the Project and Cost Effectiveness
Experience completing similar projects
Plan for ensuring project is completed on time and budget
Approach for ensuring cost effective use of funding
15
1
15%
4
Prioritize Disadvantaged Priority Populations
10
10%
4.1
Disadvantaged and Historically Underserved Priority Populations
5
1
5%
4.2
Addressing Historic/Current Inequities and Priority Population Benefits
5
1
5%
5
Contributes to Regional Transformative Change
10
10%
5.1
Transformative Approaches to Scale Housing Supply
5
1
5%
5.2
Regional Impact and Applicability
5
1
5%
Total
70
100%
4.1. Lead to a Transformative Significant Beneficial Impact (15 Points)
The following set of questions ask you to describe how the project is a Transformative Planning and Implementation Activity (see definition in PATH Program Guidelines, Section 2.0) providing
a Significant Beneficial Impact (see definition in PATH Program Guidelines, Section 3.2.1) that leads to a substantial change in land use patterns, equity, and travel behaviors.
4.1.1 Accelerate Infill Development that Facilitates Housing Supply, Choice, and Affordability (5 points)
Please describe how the project accelerates infill development that facilitates housing supply, choice and affordability. In your response describe how the project will:
increase the capacity to achieve housing units and result in increased housing production (housing supply) and how this relates to your RHNA allocation,
increase in density, a range of unit types (housing choice), and
range in rent and sale price points with an emphasis on assuring lasting affordability for housing at extremely low, very low, low, and moderate ranges (housing affordability affordability).
Please also describe the local market conditions (in relation to housing), if housing production is realistic in the next several years, and how the project scope will help accelerate
the timeline to get to increased housing production [500-word limit]
The City of Palm Desert is on track to currently hit or exceed their RHNA numbers, with the most affordable housing of similar-sized cities in the Coachella Valley Region. This project
will directly ensure that the City is able to facilitate the current existing, ongoing, and future planned affordable housing complexes along this corridor that contribute to our RHNA
allocation. This project will directly impact the 1 existing and 3 planned affordable housing complexes along the project site and I-10 corridor. By protecting the corridor from flood
impacts and mitigating existing quality of life concers, this corridor of infill will continue throughout the development phase to encourage and facilitate future multi-family housing
developments. The existing Spanish Walk Complex (150 units) is one of the City’s existing affordable housing complexes, and provides a significant contribution to our RHNA allocation.
This will not only include an increase in density along the corridor, but also facilitate housing choice in the region, which primarily consists of single-family units in neighboring
sites along the project site. Housing will range from the low to moderate affordability ranges
Additionally, because the proposed retention ponds and diversion infrastructure will be incorporated into planned stormwater management parks, the quality of life and desirability for
residents in this corridor will increase, improving overall safety and satisfaction for residents of this area. Facilitating affordable housing development in this area is critical,
as this region of the City is a significant housing area for many of our low income residents, and this provides them access to neighboring shopping centers, colleges, schools, transit
stops and multimodal transit opportunities, bike lanes, etc. Housing production is currently ongoing in this corridor with three developments in the planning or construction phases
adjacent to the City’s proposed stormwater improvements.
The Coachella Valley is characterized by a distinct and nuanced housing market due to the population fluctuations throughout the year due to tourism influxes in the Spring and Summer.
This has a serious impact on the availability of long-term rentals for residents, further constricting affordable housing access in the region. The region has a significantly high number
of resorts, short term rentals, golf courses, and tourist facilities, but lacks housing infrastructure to support our local, long-term residents, many of whom work in the tourism industry,
which requires a local workforce to maintain. The local market conditions have allowed the City to prioritize long-term, multi-family affordable rentals as a critical economic, social,
and community need.
4.1.2 Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH) (5 points)
Please describe how the proposed project combats discrimination, overcomes patterns of segregation, and fosters equitable and inclusive communities. Please include the achievable actions
that meaningfully address significant disparities in housing needs and in access to opportunity, replacing segregated living patterns with integrated and balanced living patterns, and
transforming racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty into areas of opportunity. In your response, please discuss the actions that will be feasibly completed, and the measurable
results anticipated. [500-word limit]
The City of Palm Desert is 33.7% Latino identifying according to 2020 US Census Data. Latinos make up 52% of California’s poor population, but 39% of all Californians, according to the
Public Policy Institute of California. Much of the City’s Latino population faces housing access challenges due to the aforementioned long-term affordable rental gaps and income disparities.
This project area is designated as “Highest Opportunity” according to HCD TCAC metrics, so it is critical to implement affordable housing in areas like this, to connect low income residents
to said resources and opportunities. This includes access to Sunline Transit’s 4 adjacent bus lines to the project, the Type II Bike lanes on adjacent roads, access to the adjacent
preparatory high school, and nearby community services, such as clinics, healthy and nutritious food and grocery options, and recreational areas. Please refer to the Infill Map to see
locations of many of these key locations near the proposed project site. This project will address additional equity concerns by centering community residents and stakeholders throughout
the project’s implementation process, including hosting several community workshops and outreach/engagement initiatives to ensure the flood mitigation, developments, and stormwater
management parks meet resident’s need – particularly disadvantaged residents’ needs. Staff will engage with engagement in a culturally sensitive way, and anti-discrimination policies
will be strictly inforced. Design will focus on inclusivity and accessibility and the City is committed to long-term monitoring of the proposed development and future affordable housing
initiatives to foster long-term equitable communities which overcome discrimination patterns. The City ranks in the 19th percentile statewide for Low-Income Homeworner Severe Housing
Cost Burden according to the California Healthy Places Index – prioritizing low income and affordable housing in our region is critical to ensure the quality of life of our residents.
The City has an ongoing partnership with Fair Housing of Riverside County, who will be engaged in this effort to ensure fair and equitable housing measures are implemented.
Additionally, the current flood disasters have impacted our low income residents the hardest, eliminating active transportation offerings due to mud, debris, and water flow. Those who
face property damage have faced the greatest economic burden recovering from the disaster, and low income residents are often
those who have to choose to forego flood insurance and other protection policies in favor of immediate financial burdens like food, housing, or utilities. As such, the proposed stormwater
mitigation efforts are also critical in ensuring our most disadvantaged residents are protected, both physically and financially from future floods and storms.
4.1.3 Reduce Vehicle Miles Travelled (5 points)
Please describe how the proposed project promotes development that reduces vehicle miles travelled and aligns housing production in infill locations consistent with the SCS (Refer to
Section 3.4 for information and a link to the Connect SoCal Plan) and the state’s climate targets and goals discussed in the California AB32 Climate Change Scoping Plan. In your response,
please discuss the actions that will be feasibly completed, and the measurable results anticipated [500-word limit]
Future housing developments along the corridor West of the I-10 will have access to a broad network of adjacent bicycle lanes, four Sunline Transit bus stops and routes, and additional
multimodal transit opportunities that will directly contribute to an overall VMT reduction. The City’s planned new train station will be accessible and convenient for residents of these
complexes by multimodal transit, including the existing bus stops, and the Class II bike lanes will allow residents at these developments to access recreational activities neighboring
schools, Costco and healthy grocery choices, veterinary clinics, Colleges and higher education opportunities, and, as a SCAG designated Job Center, the region also allows residents
to commute via non-single operator vehicles to many of the jobs directly adjacent to their living spaces. This will reduce the overall pollution burden of the Coachella Valley, which
is among the highest in the state for Ozone pollution (89th percentile), according to the Cal Environscreen Tool 4.0. The location of these developments to Job Center priority areas
directly contributes to the Connect SoCal 2020 Plan’s goals of increasing the combined percentaged of work trips made by carpooling, active transportation, and public transit by 3%
and reducing VMT by 5%. This is critical as the greater Coachella Valley region continues to outpace the statewide population growth rate (5% compared to 3%). The average one-way commute
in Palm Desert is 19.2 minutes, with 76.6% driving their car alone. The City ranks below average statewide for automobile access, in the 43rd statewide percentile according to the State’s
Healthy Living Index. By prioritizing these developments along key transit and active transportation corridors, the City is able to significantly contribute to the Connect SoCal Plan’s
VMT reduction goals.
PointsDescription
5Exceptional - directly addresses the REAP 2.0 Program Objectives and SCAG Program Framework Core Objectives, including Connect SoCal. Transformative and Significant Beneficial impacts
are high.
4Strong - directly addresses the REAP 2.0 Program Objectives and SCAG Program Framework Core Objectives, including Connect SoCal. Transformative and Significant Beneficial impacts
are moderate.
3
Suitable – directly addresses the REAP 2.0 Program Objectives and SCAG Program Framework Core Objectives, including Connect SoCal. Transformative and Significant Beneficial impacts
are uncertain.
2
Limited – indirectly addresses the REAP 2.0 Program Objectives and SCAG Program Framework Core Objectives, including Connect SoCal. Transformative and Significant Beneficial impacts
are low.
1
Weak – indirectly addresses the REAP 2.0 Program Objectives and SCAG Program Framework Core Objectives, including Connect SoCal. Transformative and Significant Beneficial impacts are
uncertain.
0
Disqualified – does not meet the REAP 2.0 Program Objectives and SCAG Program Framework Core Objectives, including Connect SoCal, and transformative and Significant Beneficial impacts
are negligible.
4.2. Equitable Targeted Outreach (10 Points)
4.2.1 Engagement with Disadvantaged and Historically Underserved Communities (5 points)
Describe your entity’s experience engaging residents in Disadvantaged and Historically Underserved Communities, EJ Areas, and/or Communities of Concern. If your entity has limited
experience, discuss how your entity can gain experience in completing the project. [500-word limit]
The City has conducted numerous engagement efforts as part of many community initiatives over the last 5 years. This has included the implementation fo the North Sphere Park project,
funded through Prop 68, that included community workshops and information sessions through every step of the project, to develop a Park created by and for the community to thrive in
an environment that encapsulates what they want in a community feature. This included multilingual, culturally sensitive workshops and outreach. The City is equipped and qualified to
continue similar efforts in implementing this project. In the wake of Tropical Storm Hilary, the City has already hosted recovery and informational workshops for residents to inform
them of the proposed flood improvements and mitigation measures for this area of the City. On November 16th, the City’s Public outreach plan will be approved, and then the City will
move forward with collecting public input on the project. This will include surveys, booths, workshops, potential side walk pop-ups, and public informational sessions to aid in the
development and transformation of the project area. Additionally, given the City’s proximity to tribal land, engagement will include consultation with out tribal
neighbors as needed, and collaboration with other regional partners like Coachella Valley Water District and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments.
4.2.2 Inclusive, Diverse, and Equitable Engagement (5 points)
Describe the approach for equitable community engagement, and how community organizations and/or community leaders will be engaged early and on an ongoing basis to inform the proposed
engagement strategies. In your response describe how members of disadvantaged and historically underserved communities have been or will be engaged throughout the proposed project and
how their input will shape the project and outcomes. [500-word limit]
Early stage workshops of the project will be held in addition to feedback sessions to gauge community input in development and neighborhood needs in the area. This will be conducted
with English and Spanish resources available, and will be held in ADA accessible and friendly spaces. Outreach will ideally be conducted in existing community spaces used as gathering
sites for residents, to “meet them where they are at” and at various times throughout the week in the evenings to accommodate work schedules. This will be critical to meeting and learning
from our most disadvantaged residents, and to reduce the burden of participation on them as much as possible. Community outreach will be culturally sensitive, and as much as possible,
include small incentives like snacks to reward attendance. Additionally, once input is gathered on early phases of the project, the City will continue to keep the community apprised
and gather feedback throughout the project implementation process, so that they not only feel heard, but see their input make a difference in their community as the project approaches
close-out. This can also help mitigate many of the anxieties about future flooding and stormwater, contributing to rebuilding trust with the community after the devastation of Tropical
Storm Hilary.
In addition to physical workshops and sessions, the City will also launch a social media campaign, online survey, booths at City events that will focus on informational dissemination
and gathering input via digital means across physical barriers. The City will also conduct direct oureach to each of the property owners to gather their input as stakeholders as well.
PointsDescription
5Exceptional – includes an explicit description of how stakeholders will be involved, and specifically from affected/benefitting Disadvantaged Communities and Historically Underserved
Communities.
4Strong - includes a description of how applicant will involve stakeholders, and specifically from affected/benefitting Disadvantaged Communities and Historically Underserved Communities.
3
Suitable – loosely describes how stakeholders will be involved, including from affected/benefitting Disadvantaged Communities and Historically Underserved Communities.
2
Limited – how stakeholders will be involved is generally described with general details on how affected/benefitting Disadvantaged Communities and Historically Underserved Communities.
1
Weak – engagement is minimal but includes outreach to affected/benefitting Disadvantaged Communities and Historically Underserved Communities.
0
Disqualified – does not include equitable targeted outreach.
4.3. Leverage Partnerships, Policy Match, Building Local Capacity, Ability to Complete the Project, and Cost Effectiveness (25 Points)
4.3.1 Existing or Prior Local Policy Commitments (5 points)
Describe how the existing and prior local policy environment supports the project and will accelerate infill development that facilitates housing supply, choice, and affordability, affirmatively
furthering fair housing, and reducing VMT. To demonstrate the policy environment, describe any plan, policy, ordinance, or program that your entity has completed that supports the readiness
of the proposed project, including if your proposed project supports identified sites in the jurisdictions 6th Cycle Housing Element site inventory.
[500-word limit]
The proposed project supports identified sites in the City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element site inventory. The City’s existing partnership with the Housing Authority has also supported
AFFH and the subsequent Connect SoCal Goals. In 2021, the City issued permits for $200 million of construction in 2021, including 2048 affordable multi-family units. The City is also
dedicated to build partnerships with neighboring local agencies to support regional benefits of the project and facilitate overall regional choice and affordability. The CalState Buy-In
partnership program will support these efforts. The Spanish Walk Apartments, Palm Villas Apartments are both included in the City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element Site Inventory (both located
in project site). The City has demonstrated through it’s Housing Element and its partnership with Riverside County Fair Housing, a commitment to its primary objective of implement affordable
housing projects for extremely low, very low, low, and moderate income households during the projects, as well as facilitating strategies to facilitate these developments, both private
and public. This is supported by the City’s Land Use Plan and Strategic Plan.
- Riverside County Fair Housing
4.3.2 Partnerships or Financial Match (5 points)
Please describe, as applicable, other sources of funding and partnerships invested in the project. For other funding, please include the funding sources and terms. For partnerships,
please describe the nature of the partnerships and long-term commitments from the various organizations. In your response, please describe how the project could leverage or act as a
catalyst for additional investment, how this supports or aligns with any other major infrastructure projects or housing developments in the immediate areas, and how you will work or
partner with agencies, utility providers or organizations to facilitate and implement this project. [500-word limit]
The City’s Match will fully be sourced from the City’s reserve funding. Additional partnerships will be discussed and formed with neighboring agencies, public utilities, and other regional
stakeholders. The project will certainly catalize future investment, as it not only protects a large swathe of infill land from flood concerns and disaster mitigation, but also demonstrates
regional commitment to disaster mitigation in order to prioritize and accelerate future developments. This will certainly impact long-term investments and catalyze regional revitalization.
This will also support the following adjacent housing projects throughout the City, that were managed via collaboration between the City and the City’s Housing Authority:
Vitalia: 266 + 3 manager units – Authority approved financial assistance in the form of a $6,030,000 Loan.
Crossings at Palm Desert: 175 +1 manager unit – Authority approved financial assistance in the form of a $7,235,000 Loan.
Palm Villas: 239 + 2 manager units – Authority approved financial assistance in the form of a $3,330,000 Loan.
Gerald Ford Apartments: 149 units + 1 manager unit
Millennium Apartments: 66 units, 264 market
The Sands Apartments: 88 units, 388 market – Pending City approval to provided financial assistance in the form of developer impact fee waiver of $180,000.
Similar regional partnerships, both with the Housing Authority and with other potential partners, and utilities will be leveraged as needed to ensure timely, cost effective, and maximize
overall public benefit throughout project implementation.
Ability to Complete the Project and Cost Effectiveness (15 Points)
The following set of questions ask you to describe how your entity will ensure the project is successfully completed by December 31, 2025 and how cost-effective means will be incorporated.
Experience completing similar projects. Describe your entity’s experience completing similar projects. (5 Points) [250-word limit]
This will be the first project in this area of the City, however in the last 18 months the City has incentivised over $15 million of affordable housing sites (see list above in section
4.3.2). In 2021, the City issued permits for $200 milion of construction in 2021, including 2048 affordable housing units. Additionally, the City coordinated with state and federal
agencies as part of immediate flood disaster relief, and, as long-term mitigation plans emerge, the City is dedicated to continue to prioritize flod mitigation for the wellbeing of
its residents. The City is in the process of full implementation of the 27-acre North Sphere Park in Palm Desert and has implemented many other park projects that will inform completion
of the stormwater park and retention basin elements. The City is open to coordinating with Coachella Valley Water District as needed (see: Support Letter).
Plan for ensuring project is completed on time and budget. Please outline your entity’s plan to ensure the project is completed on time and on budget. In your response, please discuss
how your entity will address timing delays or cost overruns. In addition, please describe any risks to implementing the Project Scope by December 31, 2025, including any funding gaps.
How are you tracking these risks and what strategies could be used to mitigate them? (5 Points) [250-word limit]
As the City will be the sole owner and manager of the project, the City does not foresee any challenges ensuring the project remains on time and in budget, particularly given the City’s
willingness to match the grant request amount and fully cover all acquisition costs. The City has incorporated buffer periods into the timeline to account for timing delays and keep
the project on track, and the City is committed to ensure grant funds will all be expended and the REAP 2.0 funding components of the project are completed within the necessary timeframe.
There are not anticipated funding gaps since the City will use reserve funds for all additional project costs beyond the grant request amount scope.
The City of Palm Desert has identified the following implementation risks:
Cost Fluctuations given ongoing inflation rates means that the proposed cost proposal may not account for changing price ranges and quotes as the project moves through the implementation
timeline. To account for this, the City has been conservative with its grant request amount and is willing to be adaptable and flexible with costs to ensure the project is completed
in a timely manner.
Secondly, this project was in response to a serious natural disaster that harmfully impacted the lives of the community. The City is doing this in recognition of this ongoing need for
infrastructure improvements in the community, and recognizes that rebuilding trust with our residents in this region, and, once mitigation elements are in place, encouraging residents
to select these complexes for housing, may require informational campaigns and other initiatives to rebuild trust in this area of the City, particularly in the face of increasingly
severe weather due to climate change.
Cost Effectiveness. Please describe the approach for ensuring cost effective uses of the funding requested. Please refer to the scope and budget when discussing how the proposal best
utilizes the funding to achieve desired outcomes. Your response should correspond to the information provided in the budget & timeline, scope and deliverables, and outcomes and metrics
attachment. Provide a brief, more technical description of the Project Scope. For example, provide its length, amount/capacity of infrastructure added (e.g., sewer line diameter, etc.)
and/or any design features that help contextualize the project’s cost. (5 Points) [250-word limit]
The City utilizes their cost share and prudent approaches when constructing the budget to ensure cost effective use of funding.
Information needs to be drawn from the cost proposal
Points
Description
5
Exceptional - Clearly demonstrates extensive local policy, community support, and/or financial investments. Applicant has extensive experience and approach for ensuring the project
will be completed successfully. Clearly demonstrates ability to complete the project in the REAP 2.0 timeframe and for funding requested.
4
Strong - Clearly demonstrates an amount of policy, partnerships, and/or financial investments. Applicant has experience and approach for ensuring the proposed project is completed successfully
demonstrating ability to complete the project in the REAP 2.0 timeframe and for funding requested.
3
Suitable - Demonstrates a commitment to policy, partnership, or financial support. Applicant has experience and reasonably demonstrates ability to complete the project in the REAP 2.0
timeframe and for funding requested.
2
Limited - Demonstrates a commitment to policy, partnership, or financial support. Demonstrates ability to complete the project in the REAP 2.0 timeframe and for funding requested.
1
Weak – Includes possible partnerships, supporting policies, and options for building local capacity. Uncertain about ability to complete the project in the REAP 2.0 timeframe and for
funding requested.
0
No evidence – lacks partnerships, policy match, or local capacity. Uncertain about ability to complete the project in the REAP 2.0 timeframe and for funding requested. A cumulative
score of zero (0) disqualifies the application.
4.4. Prioritize Disadvantaged Communities (10 Points)
4.4.1 Disadvantaged and Historically Underserved Priority Populations (5 points)
SCAG prioritizes funding in or providing direct benefit to historically disadvantaged, underserved, underrepresented, and under resourced areas. SCAG has identified “Priority Populations”
which include the designations below. These designations allow SCAG to demonstrate how funding programs have a significant geographic or region-wide benefit for disadvantaged and historically
underserved communities.
Using the SCAG mapping tool, please identify the Priority Populations the project will serve. Please check the box next to all Priority Populations in the list above that will be served
by the project. In the space next to each checked priority population please list the priority populations identified.
Priority Populations include:
☒ SB535 Disadvantaged Communities (CalEnviroScreen 4.0): Census Tract 060650445201
☐ SCAG Communities of Concern (Defined in Section 4.2.1): Click or tap here to enter text.
☒ TCAC/HCD Opportunity Areas (High segregation and poverty, low resource, and moderate resource communities; affordable housing production in high resource and highest resource communities
is also prioritized): Community is in a highest resource community, but prioritizes and directly impacted affordable housing production within the community.
☐ AB 1550 Communities: Click or tap here to enter text.
.
Once all Priority Populations supported have been identified, please create and save a map showing all of the Priority Populations. Instructions for using the SCAG mapping tool are available
online at https://scag.ca.gov/programs-accelerate-transformative-housing-path. This map must accompany your submitted application.
Please note that how the project supports the identified Priority Populations must be clearly stated in Section 4.4.2.
4.4.2 Addressing Historic/Current Inequities and Priority Population Benefits (5 points)
Please describe how the proposed project benefits the Priority Populations identified in Section 4.4.1. In your response include how the project will address and repair historic and/or
current inequities related to climate change, environmental justice, housing security, housing affordability, reducing displacement, and/or expanding access to higher resourced communities.
Please also describe any potential direct community benefits future developers could contribute as a result of your agency’s investment (affordable housing, open space, etc.) [500-word
limit]
The Spanish Walk neighborhood, which has 338 homes built so far, is a mix of single-family homes, second-and-first-floor condominiums, quadplexes and duplexes. The neighborhood is young
compared to others nearby, with most of the condos developed in phases between 2008 and 2018. However, the devastating flooding of August 2023overflowed a mid-valley diversion channel
which extends throughout the City, and left residents of the City’s Spanish Walk complexes, a critical multi-family affordable housing complex, stranded and in need of rescue by rafts
in some instances. Flooding caused an electrical hazard, flooded the first floor of units, and displacing over a dozen residents. 5 Buildings in Spanish Walk (holding approximately
30 units) were temporarily red-tagged due to the flood for a week. This exacerbated ongoing inequities for low income residents in the region, who are often those who do not hold flood
insurance or other protection measures and who are impacted the most severely by the climate crisis, as demonstrated tangibly through the Tropical Storm Hilary devastation. This project
directly addresses these environmental inequities by protecting our low income affordable housing complexes from future severe storms and flood devastation. It also does so by providing
green spaces through the stormwater park, which allows for recreational areas directly adjacent to affordable housing complexes. Low Income residents often struggle to access outdoor
recreation and green spaces that are not accessible in a walkable distance. Additionally, by preventing future displacement due to natural disasters and flooding, and by placing the
project as an affordable housing complex in a highest resourced neighborhood, these low income residents will be connected to greater educational, transit, and economic opportunities.
Lastly, by committing to protection and flood mitigation of our existing and ongoing development projects, future developers could view the City and the region as a prudent and profitable
region, facilitating increased development throughout both the City and the Coachella Valley.
PointsDescription
5
Exceptional – will produce tangible benefits for disadvantaged communities, repair historic and/or current inequities related to housing affordability and reduce displacement.
4
Strong – will support disadvantaged communities, improve housing affordability, and reduce displacement.
3
Suitable - will loosely support disadvantaged communities, improve housing affordability, and reduce displacement.
2
Limited – includes some support for disadvantaged communities, minimal improvement in housing affordability or reducing displacement.
1
Weak – indirectly supports disadvantaged communities and does not improve housing affordability or reduce displacement.
0
Disqualified - the project does not support disadvantaged communities or has potential to negatively affect housing affordability or increase displacement without providing acceptable
mitigation.
4.5. Contributes to Regional Transformative Change (10 Points)
The following set of questions ask you to describe how the project achieves regional goals with an emphasis on realistic and achievable innovations advancing and expanding the conditions
necessary to scale housing supply, choice, and affordability to meet the 6th Cycle RHNA, implement SCAG’s 2020 adopted Connect SoCal, and meet community needs for housing across the
Southern California region. Proposals within similar built environments will be evaluated against one another to ensure projects selected reflect the geographic diversity of the SCAG
region.
4.5.1 Transformative Approaches to Scale Housing Supply (5 Points)
Please describe how the project incorporates transformative approaches for advancing and expanding the conditions necessary to scale housing supply, choice, and affordability locally,
and in relation to the Southern California region. In your response, please discuss the actions that will be feasibly completed, and the measurable results anticipated. [500-word limit]
By address flood mitigation concerns and climate crisis disaster goals, this project will demonstrate the nexus of affordable housing, housing choice, climate needs, and quality of life
demonstrated in the Connect SoCal Plan. This will not only implement multimodal transit components into housing, green spaces adjacent to housing, but also provide a case study for
climate disaster recovery, developer incentivisation, and protection of affordable housing for the greater Coachella Valley, which struggles with ongoing storm impact in the face of
the climate crisis, but also the greater SCAG region as we begin to confront the impacts of the climate crisis. These developments will increase affordability throughout the region,
and help elevate the City out of it’s very poor existing low income housing burden (19th lowest scoring percentile in the State according to the Healthy Places Index.) It will also
connect residents to the proposed train station site, bus stops via Sunline Transit, and multimodal transit opportunities providing greater connectivity and affordability both within
the Coachella Valley and across the SCAG region.
4.5.2 Regional Impact and Applicability (5 Points)
Please describe the geographic impact of the project, how it implements SCS strategies for reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), which include: focusing growth
near destinations and mobility options, promoting diverse housing choices, leveraging technology innovations, supporting sustainability policies, and promoting a green region. Also
describe how it can be applied in similarly built contexts across the SCAG region. In your response, describe how the project’s impact on reducing GHG and VMT extends beyond the immediate
project area to beneficially impact the region. Expand how the project supports regional sustainability and resilience beyond the immediate project area. Please also discuss the actions
that will be feasibly completed, and the measurable results anticipated. [500-word limit]
By focusing this growth alongside the I-10 and the near the future proposed train station in the Palm Desert, and alongside existing active transportation infrastructure, the proposed
future and existing development implement SCAG’s connect SoCal 2020 strategies across the region, and contribute significantlyt to VMT reduction.
PointsDescription
5Exceptional – Implements the SCS, uses innovative approaches, can be applied in similarly built contexts.
4Strong – Implements the SCS, uses innovative approaches, might be possible to apply in similarly built contexts.
3Suitable – Implements the SCS, approaches are somewhat innovative, might be possible to apply in similarly built contexts.
2
Limited – Implements the SCS, approaches are somewhat innovative, most likely not possible to apply in similarly built contexts.
1
Weak – Implements the SCS, approaches are not innovative, most likely not possible to apply in similarly built contexts.
0
Disqualified – does not implement the SCS or incorporate innovative approaches, most likely not possible to apply in similarly built contexts.
End of Application
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