Infill Infrastructure Grant Program of 2019: applications: eligibility.

Senator Cabaldon's modifications to California's Infill Infrastructure Grant Program expand eligibility criteria while implementing more stringent documentation requirements for project readiness. The amendments alter how the Department of Housing and Community Development evaluates and ranks grant applications for infill development projects, with a new focus on transit accessibility and walkable communities.

The bill broadens the definition of qualifying infill projects to include residential or mixed-use developments on previously developed sites, or vacant parcels where at least 75% of the perimeter adjoins land with prior urban uses. Rather than requiring "shovel-ready" certification, applicants must now provide documentation showing approval of necessary entitlements and building permits. The department's project ranking criteria shifts to emphasize proximity and accessibility to transit stations and essential services, replacing the previous focus on social services.

New provisions establish clear metrics for "walkability," defined as development within one mile of at least six key amenities such as grocery stores, parks, medical facilities, and schools. The bill also introduces specific definitions for "major transit stops" and "catalytic qualifying infill areas," while expanding criteria for disadvantaged communities to include areas facing concentrated poverty, displacement risks, and disproportionate housing challenges. Performance standards now include explicit timelines for project commencement and completion, with mechanisms for recapturing funds from projects that fail to meet established benchmarks.

The amendments maintain separate application tracks for small and large jurisdictions while introducing temporary flexibility through 2026 for certain cities to petition for jurisdiction classification exceptions. Annual reporting requirements ensure ongoing monitoring of grant activities, project outcomes, and impacts on housing development within California's urbanized areas.