Councilmember Carlos Romero Elected ABAG Vice President 

The ABAG Executive Board last month elected City of East Palo Alto Councilmember Carlos Romero as vice president. Councilmember Romero will serve until Dec. 31, 2025.

Read more about Vice President Romero. 

ABAG Executive Board, MTC Approve Plan Bay Area 2050+ Final Blueprint 

ABAG and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission last month approved further study of the Final Blueprint for Plan Bay Area 2050+. Staff expect to release the Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+, Draft Environmental Impact Report and Draft Implementation Plan for additional public feedback and engagement this summer.

Read more about the Plan Bay Area 2050+ Final Blueprint.

Seeking Comments on Scope and Content of Forthcoming Environmental Analysis

Agencies and members of the public are invited to provide comment on the scope and content of the environmental impact assessment for Plan Bay Area 2050+. Public comments will be accepted through Feb. 13. 

See more information and a recording of the recent scoping meeting.

Priority Conservation Area Amendment Progress and Call for New Nominations

ABAG-MTC staff over the past six months collaborated with local governments to update 60% of the 180+ existing Priority Conservation Area (PCA) boundaries, aligning them with the recently refreshed PCA planning framework. A summary of these amendments, along with jurisdictions still requiring updates in the next four months, was presented to the ABAG Administration Committee and MTC Planning Committee on January 10. For more information on PCA amendment status, see tables (a) amended PCAs, and (b) jurisdictions with amendments needed.

A call for new PCA nominations will open later this month, offering a chance to integrate local priorities for open space, urban greening and recreation into the regional framework. Newly nominated PCAs will be eligible for the next round of PCA Grants. If you have questions about the PCA amendment or nomination process, please contact Kate Lyons, klyons@bayareametro.gov.

Visit the PCA webpage for details and resources. 

New Opportunities for BAHFA Housing Preservation Money

The Bay Area Housing Finance Authority will release two funding opportunities in early 2025, including:

• Affordable Housing Preservation Technical Assistance Grant Program with $325,000 available to fund upfront costs associated with converting market-rate housing to permanently restricted affordable housing, BAHFA expects to provide seven to 13 grants.
• Housing Preservation Pilot with $9.15 million available for low-interest loans to non-profit developers and community land trusts to acquire and rehabilitate properties occupied by low- and moderate-income residents.

For more information on these funding opportunities, contact Somaya Abdelgany, Preservation Program Manager, at sabdelgany@bayareametro.gov. Despite postponing a regional ballot measure last year, BAHFA’s commitment to meeting the Bay Area’s housing needs is unwavering.

Read some of the highlights of the BAHFA team’s work in 2024 and a look ahead at plans for this year.

BayREN's New Programs Aim to Improve Public Buildings

The Bay Area Regional Energy Network last month launched two programs to help local governments and special districts in the nine Bay Area counties meet their energy, resilience and climate goals. The Integrated Energy Services Program and the Targeted Decarbonization Program aim to improve energy performance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions of public buildings.

Learn more about BayREN's new programs.

Regional Housing Technical Assistance Program Updates

• The RHTA team in January convened the fourth Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Work Group Session. Affordable ADUs: Fee Waivers, Loan Programs, Affordability and Financing provides an overview of incentives and strategies to make ADUs affordable to build and rent as well as a practical review of case studies and best practices for affordability policies, programs and financing. Watch the session recording.
• California Department of Housing and Community Development staff last month led a webinar on updates to the Annual Progress Report (APR) and walked through the new HCD Connect system for uploading APR materials. View webinar materials.

Save the Date: ABAG General Assembly on Friday, June 20

The annual ABAG General Assembly will be held at the Bay Area Metro Center on Friday, June 20. Additional details to come.

Meetings

View Executive Board and Committee meeting information.