PREPARED BY: Griffen Dempsey DATE OF MEETING: 06/23/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
PRESENTATION ON THE CITY OF SAN PABLO’S APPLICATION FOR THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROHOUSING DESIGNATION PROGRAM
CEQA: This is not a project subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Recommendation
For Informational Purposes Only
Body
BACKGROUND
In 2019, the California State Legislature enacted Assembly Bill 101, establishing the Prohousing Designation Program (PDP) to address the statewide housing crisis. Jurisdictions with a Prohousing Designation may receive preference or additional points when applying for state funding. The City of San Pablo is currently preparing an application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to obtain a Prohousing Designation under the program.
DISCUSSION
The Prohousing Designation is an acknowledgment by HCD of cities that demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting housing affordability and development. Receiving this designation could position the City of San Pablo to secure state grant funding for infrastructure improvements and other local projects that support housing production. Pursuing this designation advances the City’s goals related to housing and is consistent with the policies outlined in its General Plan Housing Element.
The PDP provides incentives to jurisdictions that comply with state housing laws, meet Housing Element requirements, and adopt local policies that exceed existing housing standards. Jurisdictions awarded the Prohousing Designation receive a competitive advantage when applying for key affordable housing and infrastructure grant programs. In recent years, state funding criteria have increasingly required local governments to demonstrate housing-friendly zoning and policies as a prerequisite for eligibility. Neighboring cities Richmond, El Cerrito, and Pinole already hold the Prohousing Designation.
While preparing the City’s Prohousing application, Planning staff has been working with HCD to receive feedback and guidance. As part of becoming and remaining a Prohousing jurisdiction, the City must commit to updating its Zoning Ordinance and land use processes to better support housing production. The City has two years to complete these commitments. Staff anticipates presenting the following topics for Planning Commission review and discussion in the coming months, several of which are action items from the adopted Housing Element Programs:
• Creating Objective Design Review Standards
• Establishing Ministerial Approval Processes
• Simplifying Development Standards
• Reviewing Parking Requirements
• Requiring Universal Design in New Housing
PUBLIC NOTICE
The PDP requires all applying jurisdictions to host public meetings and provide a minimum 30-day review period for the draft application before submitting it to HCD. The draft application was made available for public review on the City’s website at www.sanpabloca.gov/CDD <http://www.sanpabloca.gov/CDD> in addition to public meetings with the Planning Commission, the City Council Economic Development, Housing & Project Management Standing Committee, and upcoming City Council meeting in July 2026.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
An application to the “Prohousing Designation” program is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), because the act of applying for eligibility and competitiveness for future grant funding will not result in a significant effect on the environment. Future projects that utilize grant funding will undergo environmental review pursuant to CEQA.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, advancing the Prohousing Designation application will support the City’s long-term housing goals and improve competitiveness for future grant opportunities. As a next step, staff will be recommending the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing submittal of the PDP application in July. Upon receiving the Prohousing Designation from the state, staff will initiate study sessions with the Planning Commission to begin discussion of Zoning Ordinance updates.
To view the draft Prohousing Application and related documents visit Prohousing Web Page <https://www.sanpabloca.gov/2924/Prohousing-Designation>