The GGRF is also unique in that it requires a portion of the funds be targeted toward priority populations, such as low-income communities and households and disadvantaged communities, following the passage of Assembly Bill 1550 (AB 1550) in 2016.78 The share of funds set aside for low-income communities has increased 18 percent between 2015 and 2021, and the share for disadvantaged communities has increased 32 percent over that same time period. Last year more than half of GGRF funds had social equity/environmental progress “double bottom line.”
Priority populations have received more than $5.4 billion in funding for projects through the GGRF, and 9,435 affordable housing units are under contract as of May 2022. Over the life of the program, 45 percent of all funds have gone to disadvantaged and low-income communities, significantly more than the 35 percent currently mandated by statute.
78 “California Climate Investments to Benefit Disadvantaged Communities.” California Environmental Protection Agency. Available at: https://calepa.ca.gov/envjustice/ghginvest/
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