Laguna Beach, CA. The City of Laguna Beach has been awarded $2.5 million through the State of California’s Local Housing Trust Fund Program. The award provides the City with grant funding to support the creation of affordable housing.

The Local Housing Trust Fund program provides matching funds to local and regional housing trust funds dedicated to affordable housing, transitional housing, and emergency shelters. The City will provide the required match funding using a combination of its Housing Fund and Housing In Lieu Fund. Together, the State grant and City match will generate a total of $5 million available for one or more affordable housing projects in Laguna Beach.

Councilmember Bob Whalen, City Council liaison to the City’s Housing and Human Services Committee, issued the following statement:

“Providing more affordable housing for seniors, artists, and the local workforce is vital to maintaining a vibrant community. Affordable housing funding is more competitive than ever and requires diligence, persistence, and a willingness to pursue every available avenue, so we are very grateful to have been selected for this grant.”

“This award reflects sustained and intentional efforts by City Council, the Housing and Human Services Committee, and City staff and I thank them for their hard work.   The City Council is committed to expanding affordable housing in the community and this grant will provide a significant boost to our efforts,” Whalen continued.

The City intends to use the grant to support the development of additional affordable housing units in Laguna Beach. The grant application identified the Neighborhood Congregational Church site as a potential affordable housing project.  The City is expecting revised plans to be submitted this month for the proposed project. While the City has not formally committed the grant or City funds to a specific project at this time, the City anticipates discussing the appropriation of the funds in early 2026. The City also anticipates holding a town hall meeting in January 2026 to discuss the proposed Church project and the intended use of the awarded grant funds.

The City of Laguna Beach remains committed to advancing affordable housing solutions that support community stability, economic diversity, and long-term affordability.

For additional information, please contact Jeremy Frimond, Assistant City Manager at  (949) 464-6673 or jfrimond@lagunabeachcity.net.