Bates Announces Housing Grant For Laguna Niguel

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — State Senator Patricia Bates, a Laguna Niguel resident who currently serves as Senate Minority Leader and has represented California 36th Senate District since 2014, announced Tuesday that the California Department and Housing and Community Development has awarded a $300,000 Local Early Action Planning grant to her hometown. The grant will be used to increase housing supply and research the best ways to do it.

"I thank the Department of Housing and Community Development for awarding a planning grant to my hometown of Laguna Niguel," said Bates, a member of the Senate Housing Committee. "Advocating for local governments to access state funding and grant resources continues to be a priority. I look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders to address vital needs."

The grant is funded from 2019-20 state budget, which allocated $250 million to prioritize planning to increase housing. Laguna Niguel will use the grant to conduct outreach and create guidelines regarding accessory dwelling units, meet California Environmental Quality Act guidelines, fund geographic information upgrades, and more, according to a release from Bates' office.

Bates has previously secured LEAP grants for Aliso Viejo, Encinitas, Oceanside, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, and Rancho Santa Margarita. She has also announced planning grants for Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano.