Prohousing Designation Program
The City of Santa Barbara is excited to announce our intent to pursue a Prohousing Designation from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). This designation will recognize Santa Barbara’s commitment to accelerating housing production and implementing housing-friendly policies.
In 2024, City Council adopted a resolution authorizing application to and participation in the Prohousing Designation Program. Threshold requirements for the Prohousing Designation include having a certified Housing Element, engaging in a public participation process, complying with applicable state housing law related to the Permit Streamlining Act and CEQA, and more.
Prohousing Designation Application Review
Initial Submittal September 2025
After the required public review period, the Prohousing Designation Application was submitted to HCD for a for a 60-day review period on September 12, 2025. In Fall 2025, HCD contacted the City and requested revisions to the Self-Scoring Sheet (Appendix 3) and Encampment Response (Appendix 5).
Revised Submittal February 2026
The Prohousing Designation Application was revised based on input from HCD and was available for the required seven day public review period starting on February 17, 2026. Two public comment letters were received during the public comment period and are attached to Appendix 6. The revised application was submitted to HCD on February 25, 2026. For convenience, Appendix 7 (with hyperlinks to Supporting Documentation) is provided under separate cover.
If you want to comment on the Revised Prohousing Designation Application submittal to HCD, please submit your comments directly to them at ProhousingPolicies@HCD.ca.gov.
Benefits to Applying
Receiving a Prohousing Designation documents the City’s commitment to housing and recognizes the work that has already been done to address the City’s housing shortage and affordability crisis. The Prohousing Designation makes the City eligible to apply for Prohousing Incentive Program (PIP) funds, a state investment from the Building Homes and Jobs Trust Fund, to create and conserve affordable housing. It also makes the City eligible for priority processing or funding points when applying for several infrastructure and other funding programs, including:
- Affordable Housing & Sustainable Communities
- Infill Infrastructure Grant
- Transformative Climate Communities
- Solutions for Congested Corridors
- Local Partnership Program
- Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program
Application Details
The Prohousing Designation application is submitted to HCD for review after the City engages in a public participation process that includes outreach and availability of the draft document for public comment. The Prohousing Designation Application consists of the application template and the following appendices:
- Appendix 1: The formal resolution authorizing the City to apply for a Prohousing Designation
- Appendix 2: Proposed policy completion schedule (for programs not yet completed)
- Appendix 3: Self-scoring sheet and sample self-scoring sheet
- Appendix 4: Examples of prohousing policies with enhancement factors
- Appendix 5: Homeless Encampment Template
- Appendix 6: Diligent Public Participation Checklist
- Appendix 7: Additional Information and Supporting Documentation
The core of the application is focused on Appendix 3, the self-scoring sheet. There are four categories in which to receive points including:
- Favorable Zoning and Land Use
- Acceleration of Housing Production Timeframes
- Reduction of Construction and Development Costs
- Providing Financial Subsidies
A minimum of 30 points must be reached to achieve a Prohousing Designation across the four categories. There are also enhancement factors, where each category can receive extra points if policies in the four categories align with state priorities, such as mitigating climate change, promoting fair housing, and preventing displacement. Points are received for both enacted and proposed policies. Proposed policies must be implemented within two years of application submittal.
Learn More
California Department of Housing and Community Development's Prohousing webpage for more details about the Prohousing Designation Program.