Infill Infrastructure Grant Program of 2019: applications: eligibility.

Senator Cabaldon's proposal to modify California's Infill Infrastructure Grant Program introduces new criteria for funding capital improvement projects that support housing development in qualifying infill areas. The bill revises how the Department of Housing and Community Development evaluates grant applications, emphasizing projects' proximity to transit and essential services rather than solely social services.

The legislation expands eligibility for infill area designation to include sites where capital improvements would facilitate residential development under streamlined approval processes. It provides alternative paths to meet affordability requirements - projects can either maintain the existing 15% affordable unit threshold or comply with affordability standards through by-right development provisions. The bill also broadens the definition of capital improvement projects to include nature-based solutions that address climate risks and requires funded streets to be publicly maintained and serve as connectors within qualifying areas.

For implementation, the bill establishes performance standards with specific timelines for project commencement and completion. It authorizes the department to recapture grants if housing development does not progress within designated timeframes. The legislation also introduces new reporting requirements, mandating annual updates on funded projects' status, locations, and housing units created. These changes apply to both the competitive application process for large jurisdictions and the over-the-counter process for small jurisdictions.

The measure redefines key terms, including "adaptive reuse" for converting non-residential buildings to housing and "catalytic qualifying infill area" for large-scale mixed-use developments. It expands eligible applicants to include tribal entities and metropolitan planning organizations as co-applicants, while establishing specific provisions for projects in disadvantaged communities experiencing housing affordability challenges or displacement risks.