For City Council Meeting of April 14, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Christina Taylor, Community Development Director
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Receive the Overview of the San Bernardino Council of Governments (SBCOG) Housing Trust Program; and (2) Adopt Resolution No. 8490 Authorizing the City’s Participation in the Housing Trust Program Joint Powers Authority (JPA).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution authorizing the City’s participation in the SBCOG Housing Trust Program JPA.
BACKGROUND
The City of Rialto is one of twenty-five member agencies of the San Bernardino Council of Governments (SBCOG). On February 14, 2023 the Rialto City Council authorized staff to submit a letter of intent to join the San Bernardino Regional Housing Trust (SBRHT). Through the SBHRT, the City of Rialto intended to further the goal to attract significant funding and affordable housing development interest into the San Bernardino region.
On April 5, 2023, the SBCOG Board of Directors initiated the process of establishing the (SBRHT), including the establishment of a new Joint Powers Authority.
A housing trust fund is a program or independent organization that raises funding dedicated to housing construction, preservation, and rehabilitation, often concentrated on affordable housing, homeless housing services, down payment assistance, gap financing, supporting housing trusts, and related activities.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The Administrative Plan for the Housing Trust will be developed in consultation with participating member jurisdictions. It will establish protocols for the trust fund, including determining the types of projects and programs it will fund, set goals to guide the Trust’s activities, stipulate membership requirements for participating jurisdictions, establish preferences for reinvesting allocations within the jurisdiction, outline SBCOG’s administrative responsibilities, and create a Board of Directors.
There is a cost to cities to participate in the Housing Trust. Contributions from member agencies will fund the administration of the Trust. Member dues will be based on a combination of factors, such as the jurisdiction’s population, jobs, and anticipated growth. Cost per jurisdiction is anticipated to range as shown below:
This estimate is based on fifteen cities that are currently participating. These amounts will be adjusted up or down based on a decrease or increase in participation. Currently, the cities listed below have agreed to participation in the trust:
1. Chino
2. Chino Hills
3. County of San Bernardino
4. Fontana
5. Montclair
6. Needles
7. Ontario
8. Rancho Cucamonga
9. Redlands
10. San Bernardino (City)
11. Twentynine Palms
12. Upland
13. Yucca Valley
The Housing Trust will seek funding from State and Federal sources, private and philanthropic contributions, grants and loans, and strategic partnerships to fund projects.
SBCOG is looking to finalize agency participation in the JPA by the end of April 2026. The first Housing Trust Board meeting is scheduled for May 15, 2026.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The request is not a Project as defined by Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Goal 6-1: Maintain and improve the quality of existing housing and neighborhoods in Rialto.
Goal 6-2: Promote and encourage housing development that adequately meets the needs of all socioeconomic segments of the community and region.
Goal 6-3: Maximize the use of available financial resources and pursue creative and resourceful methods to reduce the overall cost of housing.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report and resolution and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The anticipated cost for participation in the Housing Trust JPA is between $10,000 and $40,000 per year. Funds to participate in the housing trust will be budgeted in the fiscal year 2026-2027 as that is when the first cost for participation will be due.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Housing Trust FAQ
2. Resolution