Mayor Shon Harris, who will sign a letter of support for REAP 2.0 grant funds, speaks at the April 2 City Council meeting.

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - You reap what you sow.

Yuba City might do just that after Mayor Shon Harris sows a letter of support for maintaining REAP 2.0 program funding. Now that the council passed the resolution on April 2 for the letter, Yuba City will be considered for the program administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

“REAP 2.0 funds accelerate infill housing development, reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), increase housing supply at all affordability levels, and affirmatively further fair housing,” according to the program website.

If approved, funds will be used for the Harter Parkway Corridor Improvement Project, the construction of approximately 2,800 lineal feet of 18-inch diameter sanitary sewer main from the intersection of Harter Parkway and Jefferson Avenue to the intersection of Butte House Road and Elmer Avenue.

Yuba City Public Works Deputy Director Kevin Bradford said the Harter Parkway Corridor Improvement Project is significant.

“The project helps facilitate needed infrastructure, which ultimately helps facilitate construction of homes and multi-family housing units in one of the city’s infill areas,” Bradford said. “It also helps accelerate needed housing development in an area that has been planned for growth for over 20 years.

REAP 2.0, part of the 2021 California Comeback Plan, will assist in the Harter Parkway Corridor by “bringing needed housing options for Yuba City residents that are also close to numerous services, jobs, healthcare, and recreation,” Bradford said.

Development Services Deputy Director Doug Libby said it is essential to encourage a range of housing types at various price points so all citizens can afford a place to call home.

“Working to comply with climate commitments ultimately reduces air contaminants, improves air quality (that can also have health benefits), and conserves energy, which benefits everyone,” Libby said. 

According to Libby, REAP 2.0 assists in meeting affordable housing demands here and statewide.

“Part of this includes locally ensuring there is sufficient land zoned for different housing types, which was addressed in the City’s recent Housing Element update to be consistent with State law and comply with the State’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation,” Libby said.

Infrastructure costs are expensive locally and statewide, according to Libby, who said, "This program helps target infrastructure needs for locations planned to bring different housing types to a community throughout the state. 

Overall, REAP 2.0 provides a $600 million investment statewide, some of which Yuba officials hope to see. Libby said some funding could be made available through the support of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG).

The program website reports that up to $31.83 million will go to the SACOG to fund the Green Means Go program, which awards “one-time funding through planning and capital infrastructure investments for non-transportation projects in locally adopted Green Zones (priority growth areas) that improve housing affordability.”

“This (letter of support) ultimately helps position the city to receive a share of available grant funding,” Libby said.