California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Public Housing Account

Broadband Public Housing Account Internet Extension Application Package

Program Overview

 

Pursuant to Public Utilities Code section 281, moneys in the California Advanced Service Fund (CASF) Broadband Public Housing Account are available for grants and loans to low-income communities including but not limited to publicly supported housing developments, and other housing developments or mobile home parks with low income residents to finance projects to connect broadband networks that offer free broadband service that meets or exceeds state standards for residents of the low-income communities.

Program Updates

On March 7, 2024, the Commission issued Decision (D.) 24-03-041 modifying the CASF Broadband Public Housing Account Rules and Guidelines expanding eligibility for non-publicly supported housing developments and for project costs. The Broadband Public Housing Account rules and requirements are set forth in D.24-03-041, Rules and Guidelines Appendix A.

Key changes to the Broadband Public Housing Account are as follows:

• Increases total project caps and per unit caps for ministerial review and approval
• Increased speed threshold for projects to 100mbps down 20mbps up
  
• Establishes eligibility for non-publicly supported housing developments including tribal, mobile homes and other housing developments
• Increases up to 100 percent of the costs to install last mile infrastructure, inside wiring and broadband network equipment but will not finance operations and maintenance costs
• Expands project eligibility to include internet extension projects
• Expands scope of costs eligible for reimbursement of interconnection and backhaul costs
• Provides tenant protections for applicants other than publicly supported, tribal housing developments and farmworker housing

Eligible Applicants

• Publicly supported housing development 
• Farmworker housing 
• Other housing developments
• Mobilehome parks
• One or more Census block group(s), each with a median household income at or below 80 percent of the statewide median income or with median household incomes at or below the county-specific threshold designated as “low-income” by the Department of Housing and Community Development’s list of state income limits adopted pursuant to Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code. 26,27.  For projects that are eligible based on Census Block Groups, a city or county government may apply on behalf of the low-income community

“Publicly supported housing development” is a publicly supported multi-unit housing development that is wholly owned by either of the following:

(i) A public housing agency that has been chartered by the state, or by any city or county in the state.

(ii) An incorporated nonprofit organization as described in Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3))12 that is exempt from taxation under Section 501 (a) of that code (16 U.S.C. Sec. 501(a)) and that has received public funding to subsidize the construction or maintenance of housing occupied by residents whose annual income qualifies as “low” or “very low” income according to federal poverty guidelines.

“Farmworker housing” is housing that is consistent with the definition of “farmworker housing” set forth in California Health and Safety Code Section 50199.7 (h), which includes the requirement that “farmworker housing” means housing in which at least 50 percent of the units are available to, and occupied by, farmworkers and their households.  

“Other Housing Development” is (a) a multi-dwelling unit development such as a Single Room Occupancy (SRO) or an apartment complex, in which all units are owned by the same entity(ies) and that has 80% or greater residential units that are “low-income” and (b) tribal housing, including developments funded with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding or through a Tribally Designated Housing Entity.

“Mobilehome park” is any area or tract of land where two or more lots are rented or leased, held out for rent or lease, or were formerly held out for rent or lease and later converted to a subdivision, cooperative, condominium, or other form of resident ownership, to accommodate manufactured homes, mobilehomes, or recreational vehicles used for human habitation, as defined in Section 18214 of the California Health & Safety Code. The rental paid for a manufactured home, a mobilehome, or a recreational vehicle shall be deemed to include rental for the lot it occupies. This subdivision shall not be construed to authorize the rental of a mobilehome park space for the accommodation of a recreational vehicle in violation of Section 798.22 of the Civil Code. “Mobilehome park” shall meet all of the requirements of California Health & Safety Code 18214.

Funding Available

The allocated funding for the Broadband Public Housing Account is $30.141 million for fiscal year 2024-2025.  The Broadband Public Housing Account will finance up to 100 percent of the costs to install inside wiring and broadband network equipment.

Application Resources

Program Rules and Guidelines

D.24-03-041, Appendix A

Frequently Asked Questions

Applying for Funds

To Apply

For our Broadband Public Housing Account Infrastructure Projects

Review the Broadband Public Housing Account Infrastructure Application Instructions

Complete and Submit the Broadband Public Housing Account Infrastructure Application Package, the Notarized Affidavit, and the CEQA Questionnaire

For our Broadband Public Housing Account Internet Extension Projects

Review the Broadband Public Housing Account Internet Extension Instructions

Complete and Submit the Broadband Public Housing Account Internet Extension Application Package, the Notarized Affidavit, and the CEQA Questionnaire

Applications may be submitted at any time. However, staff will consider applications submitted on or before each deadline listed below as a batch.  Applications must be received on or before the following dates to be considered: 

• July 1, 2024
• January 1, 2025, and so on until funds are exhausted.

Any deadline falling on a holiday, or a weekend will be extended to the following business day.  

After each deadline, staff will post notice of all applications received on the Commission’s website. 

For Further Information  

For more information please visit:

Commission resolutions, decisions, and legislative history specific to the Public Housing Account

Questions about this program should be directed to the following:  CPUC_Housing@cpuc.ca.gov 

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