Permanent Local Housing Allocation/ 2022 PLHA NOFA
🏛 Department of Housing and Community Development (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Oct 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for California organizations that want to build broadband networks serving low-income residents without access to free broadband.
Applicants must target publicly supported housing, farmworker housing, mobile home parks, or similar developments. Service areas must have no existing provider offering free broadband meeting state standards.
All work must be in California. Funding covers last-mile infrastructure, inside wiring, and equipment only—not operations or maintenance costs.
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Program description
B. Eligible Activities 1. The predevelopment, development, acquisition, rehabilitation, and preservation of multifamily, residential live-work, rental housing that is affordable to extremely low-, very low-, low-, or moderate-income households, including necessary Operating subsidies.2. The predevelopment, development, acquisition, rehabilitation, and preservation of Affordable rental and ownership housing, including Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), that meets the needs of a growing workforce earning up to 120 percent of Area Median Income (AMI), or 150 percent of AMI in High-cost areas. ADUs shall be available for occupancy for a term of no less than 30 days. See Appendix B for a list of High-cost areas in California. 3. Matching portions of funds placed into Local or Regional Housing Trust Funds.4. Matching portions of funds available through the Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Asset Fund pursuant to subdivision (d) of HSC Section 34176.5. Capitalized Reserves for Services connected to the preservation and creation of new Permanent supportive housing.6. Assisting persons who are experiencing or At risk of homelessness, including, but not limited to, providing rapid rehousing, rental assistance, supportive/case management services that allow people to obtain and retain housing, operating and capital costs for navigation centers and emergency shelters, and the new construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of permanent and transitional housing.a. This Activity may include subawards to Administrative Entities as defined in HSC Section 50490(a)(1-3) that were awarded California Emergency Solutions and Housing (CESH) Program or Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) funds for rental assistance to continue assistance to these households.b. Applicants must provide rapid rehousing, rental assistance, navigation centers, emergency shelter, and transitional housing activities in a manner consistent with the Housing First practices described in 25 CCR, Section 8409, subdivision (b)(1)-(6) and in compliance with Welfare Institutions Code (WIC) Section 8255(b)(8). An Applicant allocated funds for the new construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of Permanent supportive housing shall incorporate the core components of Housing First, as provided in WIC Section 8255(b).7. Accessibility modifications in Lower-income Owner-occupied housing.8. Efforts to acquire and rehabilitate foreclosed or vacant homes and apartments.9. Homeownership opportunities, including, but not limited to, down payment assistance.10. Fiscal incentives made by a county to a city within the county to incentivize approval of one or more Affordable housing projects, or matching funds invested by a county in an Affordable housing development project in a city within the county, provided that the city has made an equal or greater investment in the project. The county fiscal incentives shall be in the form of a grant or low-interest loan to an Affordable housing project. Matching funds investments by both the county and the city also shall be a grant or low-interest deferred loan to the Affordable housing project.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Project narrative and description
- Proof of eligibility (documentation that no free broadband service meeting standards currently serves the area)
- Budget and cost breakdown
- Letters of support from housing community and partners
- Applicant organizational information
- Engineering or technical specifications for broadband infrastructure
Program contact
- 📧 PLHASGM@hcd.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-263-6928
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | 3 | 3 | 100% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, housing developers, public agencies, and community organizations serving low-income housing communities can apply. Applicants must be based in California and focus on projects in the state.
What does this grant fund?
Grants cover up to 100% of installation costs for last-mile broadband infrastructure, inside wiring, and network equipment. Operations and maintenance are not funded.
When is the deadline?
The July 2025 cycle has a July 1, 2025 deadline. Check California PUC website for future cycle dates and rolling deadlines.
What are the funding amounts?
Award amounts vary by project scope. Total allocation is $30.1 million for fiscal year 2024-2025. Contact the PUC for specific project funding ranges.
Can I apply if my area already has some broadband service?
No. Your target community must lack any broadband provider offering free service meeting state standards. Partial coverage does not qualify.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Document that no existing free broadband service meeting state standards serves your target area. Contact providers to get written confirmations.
- Clearly identify the low-income housing community you'll serve. Include resident demographics, current broadband access barriers, and why the project is needed.
- Detail infrastructure and equipment specifications upfront. Include timelines, contractor qualifications, and project management plans.
- Engage housing residents and developers early. Letters of support from community partners strengthen applications significantly.
- Align your project with California broadband equity goals. Reference state broadband standards and explain how your network meets them.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Targeting areas where any free broadband service provider already exists. Applicants must document zero free broadband options meeting state standards. Including operations and maintenance costs in the budget when only infrastructure is funded.
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