FROM:
Housing
SUBJECT:
Title
Consideration of Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) Participation in the San Bernardino Regional Housing Trust (SBRHT)
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
1. Approve Resolution No 2026-017, a resolution of the City Council of Fontana authorizing participation in the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) for the establishment of the San Bernardino Regional Housing Trust.
2. Allow City Manager, or City Manager’s designee, to enter into the agreement and any necessary amendments and related documents to implement the project.
End
COUNCIL GOALS:
• Provide a diverse range of housing types and levels of affordability while addressing homelessness in the community by promoting diverse range of housing projects and levels of affordability.
• Concentrate on Inter-governmental relations by pursuing financial participation from county, state, and federal governments.
• Concentrate on Inter-governmental relations by advocating Fontana's position in regional, state, and federal organizations.
DISCUSSION:
California faces a significant housing supply and affordability crisis spurred by high land costs, rising construction costs, limited financing options, and other market constraints. These issues and challenges have manifested at the local level with compounding and interrelated impacts on housing supply, homelessness, and regional economic stability. Addressing these issues requires coordinated actions at the local, regional, and statewide levels.
One such regional action is the establishment of the San Bernardino Regional Housing Trust (SBRHT), which would raise and leverage funds to support affordable housing production, preservation, rehabilitation, and other housing-related activities across the San Bernardino region.
In response to increasing concern regarding housing challenges in the region the City/County Managers Technical Advisory Committee (CCMTAC) of the San Bernardino Council of Governments (SBCOG) formed an ad hoc subcommittee in 2021 to explore the feasibility of implementing a housing trust fund. At the direction of the Subcommittee SBCOG released the San Bernardino Regional Housing Trust White Paper (White Paper) in January 2022, which outlines potential benefits, governance structures, and relevant case studies related to the formation of a housing trust fund.
The White Paper concludes that a regionally structured housing trust fund would benefit the region through shared governance, administrative efficiency, enhanced visibility to potential investors, developers, and the state, and economies of scale that localized efforts may not achieve on their own.
Following the release of the White Paper, SBCOG developed the SBRHT Strategic Plan, which assesses housing needs throughout the San Bernardino region and identifies potential funding sources, financing mechanisms, and programmatic activities that could be supported by the SBRHT. Throughout 2022 and 2023, SBCOG conducted extensive outreach, engaging local decision-making bodies, city and county managers, planning staff, elected officials, developers, and housing administrators.
Based on this research and outreach, it was recommended that a housing trust fund serving the San Bernardino region be structured as a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) comprised of local jurisdictions within the region. On April 5, 2023, the SBCOG Board of Directors authorized staff to begin the process of establishing the SBRHT, including the formation of a new JPA.
SBRHT Benefits:
The SBRHT aims to provide a coordinated, regional approach to addressing housing needs throughout the San Bernardino region by raising and leveraging funds to support housing development, with a particular focus on affordable housing. Participation in the JPA would:
• Expand funding opportunities by leveraging state, federal, and private resources;
• Support affordable housing projects within the City of Fontana and throughout the region;
• Provide regional coordination and administration to address housing needs comprehensively;
• Increase development interest and investment in the region; and
• Ensure local representation in decision-making through the JPA governance structure.
The Housing Trust Ad Hoc Committee is currently developing recommendations regarding policies and priorities. By joining the JPA, the City would have a direct role in shaping these policies and priorities.
JPA Development:
A draft Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Agreement was circulated to all SBCOG member agencies on December 15, 2025, for review and comment. SBCOG received feedback several jurisdictions and subsequently met with the CCMTAC Housing Trust Ad Hoc Committee on February 5, 2026, and February 23, 2026, to discuss proposed agreement. The attached JPA Agreement reflects revisions based on comments received and discussions held.
The SBRHT Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement incorporates the provisions of SB 20 (2023), as well as the broader Joint Exercise of Powers Act. Utilizing the provisions of SB 20 allows the SBRHT to be an early adopter of this legislation, which may increase visibility and interest from the State Legislature and enhance opportunities for state funding. Incorporation of the broader Joint Exercise of Powers Act provides flexibility for the SBRHT to exercise powers that are common to its member agencies.
The governing structure of the SBRHT is centered on a Board of Directors, which exercises all powers and authority on behalf of the organization. The Board of Directors will consist of one locally elected representative from each participating member agency, as well as at least two housing policy experts. Housing policy experts will be selected by a vote of the elected members of the Board. The Board will also elect officers, including a Chair and Vice Chair, and may establish advisory committees as needed.
The SBRHT may contract for administrative staff or services as necessary. The Board is responsible for adopting bylaws, overseeing budgets, and ensuring compliance with California’s Joint Exercise of Powers Act and other applicable state laws. All meetings will be conducted in accordance with the Brown Act, ensuring transparency and public accountability. Overall, the governance model balances local representation with subject-matter expertise while maintaining operational independence from its Member Agencies.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Participation in the proposed Joint Powers Authority (JPA) will be funded through member agency contributions based on population and the total number of participating jurisdictions. Because participation is still being finalized, the exact cost is not yet known.
Based on nine jurisdictions currently planning to bring the JPA forward for adoption, the estimated annual cost at full program capacity (Year 3+) is projected to range between $31,000 and $55,000 per member agency, based on a total program cost of approximately $475,000. If additional jurisdictions join, the cost to each participating agency would decrease.
Funding for the City’s participation will be paid from the Low-Mod Administrative Fund 29730200 subject to budget appropriation upon approval in the next quarterly.
MOTION:
Approve Staff Recommendation.