Sustainable Communities Grant and Loan Program
Report of Activities 2005

This report of activities for the Sustainable Communities Grant and Loan Program (SCGL) is submitted pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 44525.6 for the calendar year ending December 31, 2005.

Background

Legislation sponsored by the State Treasurer's Office [AB 779 (Torlakson), Ch. 914 of Statutes of 2000] authorized the creation of a financial assistance program to assist cities and counties in their community planning and development efforts. In response to this legislation, the California Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA) implemented the Sustainable Communities Grant and Loan Program.

The initial legislation authorized up to $2.5 million in grant and loan funding for developing and implementing policies, programs and projects ("Projects") that: reduce pollution hazards and the degradation of the environment; assist in the revitalization of one or more California neighborhoods that suffer from high unemployment levels, low-income levels and/or high poverty; and/or promote Infill Development. In order to assist communities to meet these strategic objectives consistent with sustainable development principles, CPCFA staff designed a program that provides maximum assistance per awardee of up to $500,000 consisting of up to $350,000 in grant funding and up to $150,000 in loan assistance.

In response to demand for the program, on August 30, 2002 the Legislature passed Senate Bill 199 (Torlakson), which increased the total potential funding by $2.5 million (to $5 million). SB 199 was chaptered on September 28, 2002. Due to timing considerations associated with additional funding provided under SB 199, the Authority allocated funds on two separate occasions (October 1, 2002 and October 31, 2002). The Authority approved $4,161,558 of funding for a total of fourteen projects. The Authority has not solicited additional proposals or awarded further funding since 2002 and would need to seek additional funding authorization from the Legislature in order to conduct additional funding cycles.

This report of activities for the Sustainable Communities Grant and Loan Program (SCGL) is submitted pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 44525.6 for the calendar year ending December 31, 2005.