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homeless. This is a joint project of HCD, the California Housing Finance Agency (Ca1HFA), <br />and the Department of Mental Health (DMH) funded by Proposition 46 funds. The Governor's <br />Initiative provides various types of assistance:. deferred payment permanent loans under HCD's <br />MHP; construction, bridge and permanent loans from Ca1HFA; and limited grant funds for rental <br />assistance from DMH. <br />Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) <br />The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), passed in November 2004, provides an opportunity <br />for the Department of Mental Health (DMH) to increase funding, personnel, and other resources <br />to support county mental health programs and monitor progress toward statewide goals for <br />children, transition age youth, adults, older adults, and families. The Act addresses a broad <br />continuum of prevention, early intervention, and service needs. DMH contracts with county <br />mental health departments [e.g., the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services <br />Department (BHCS)] to develop and manage the implementation of MHSA's provisions. BHCS <br />has been awarding contracts for implementation of services since FY 2006-07. <br />Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (State) <br />State low-income housing tax credits are awarded in conjunction with federal low-income <br />housing tax credits to eligible affordable rental housing developments. State low-income <br />housing tax credits provide less equity funding than federal tax credits but still serve as vital <br />financing. <br />California Housing Finance Agency (Ca1HFA) <br />CaIHFA provides a variety of tax-exempt bond financing for the creation and preservation of <br />affordable housing and first-time homebuyer programs. The Housing Enabled by Local <br />Partnerships (HELP) Program through Ca1HFA provides competitive low-interest loans of up to <br />$1.5 million each for housing programs. The City could consider applying for a HELP loan to <br />increase funding for a specific project. CaIHFA also offers a multitude of first-time homebuyer <br />assistance programs to eligible homebuyers through participating lenders. However, Ca1HFA <br />has temporarily suspended the issuance of new loan commitments under the HELP Program due <br />to Ca1HFA funding constraints. <br />Mort~a~e Revenue Bonds <br />Under the Internal Revenue Code, the City can become an issuer of mortgage revenue bonds for <br />the purpose of funding affordable housing development. Under the regulations, at least 20% of <br />the units must be affordable to families at or below 50% of the area median family income <br />(AMI) or 40% of the units affordable to families at or below 60% of the AMI. However, the <br />City can negotiate any amount allowed for rent levels that would be restricted in exchange for <br />issuing the tax-exempt bonds. <br />Mortgage Credit Certificates <br />Alameda County serves as the lead agency for allocation of Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCC), <br />which provide a tax credit to subsidize the mortgage interest rate for qualified first-time <br />homebuyers. The County receives MCC funding through State bonds. <br />Action Plan - FY 2010-2011 <br />City of San Leandro <br />Page 6 <br />