The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) adopted the Round 6 Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (AHSC) Guidelines at its public meeting on February 24, 2021, following a robust process that incorporated feedback received through three public comment periods, multiple Council meetings, and stakeholder meetings. AHSC is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.
SGC’s AHSC program implementation partner, the California Department of Housing and Community Development will soon release the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) with a value of approximately $405 million, thereby opening the Round 6 application period. Soon thereafter, the AHSC program will release its application. The application period will remain open until June 2021, and SGC expects to make awards decisions in October of this year.
AHSC Round 6 Timeline
| Milestone | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Draft AHSC Round 5 Guidelines Posted | September 16, 2020 |
| First Draft Guidelines: 30 Day Public Comment Period | September 16–October 16, 2020 |
| Second Draft Guidelines Posted | November 6, 2020 |
| Second Draft Guidelines Discussed at SGC Meeting | November 17, 2020 |
| 7 Day Third Draft Guidelines Public Comment Period | January 29–February 5, 2021 |
| Final Guidelines Posted | February 12, 2021 |
| Final Guidelines Considered by Council | February 24, 2021 |
| Release of Round 6 NOFA | February 26, 2021 |
| Release of the Round 6 AHSC Application Workbook | March 2021 |
| Application Workshops via Webinar | March 11 and 16, 2021 |
| Application Consultations | March 15, 16, and 17, 2021 |
| Applications Due Date | June 8, 2021 |
| Round 6 Awards Adopted by Council | October 28, 2021 (Tentative) |
Application Workshops and Consultations
In order to prepare potential AHSC applicants for Round 6, AHSC program staff will host application workshops and consultation webinars over Zoom on March 11 and March 16, 2021 . The application workshops will offer participants the opportunity to hear an overview of the AHSC Guidelines and any updates that have been developed since the fifth round. Program staff will set aside time at the end of the presentation to answer general Guidelines questions posed by attendees. SGC will make the webinar recordings available on its website at a later date.
Additionally, potential applicants who wish to schedule time to discuss their projects and the guidelines directly with AHSC Program staff can make a consultation appointment. Watch the AHSC email list for opportunities to sign up for these consultations in the coming days. We encourage prospective applicants who believe they will need additional support to inquire about the AHSC Technical Assistance Program.
AHSC Accepting Requests for Round 6 Technical Assistance
AHSC and its technical assistance (TA) providers continue to seek TA Program participants from across California with shovel-ready project proposals. If you represent a prospective AHSC interested in seeking, TA, please complete the Survey to Request AHSC Technical Assistance. The AHSC TA program provides no-cost direct application assistance and capacity building services to prospective AHSC applicants. The TA Program aims to increase applicants' capacity to develop their AHSC applications and forge intergovernmental relationships.
We strongly encourage potential AHSC applicants who may require additional help and guidance during the AHSC process – including, but not limited to, first-time applicants or applicants based in disadvantaged, low-income, and Tribal communities – to complete the survey soon. TA program availability is limited.