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Happy July from Across the
Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI)
Welcome to the July edition of ECHO!
At the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) and the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC), we celebrate Disability Pride Month — observed every July — and the incredible Californians of all abilities who are central to shaping and strengthening our communities as we build a California for All. This year's theme, “The World Works Better With Us,” underscores that when people with all abilities are included, respected, and supported, communities thrive.
This month is a historic milestone: The USA turns 250, marking the day — July 4, 1776 — that the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress. As we celebrate the semiquincentennial, it's never been more important to recognize and reflect on the struggles and sacrifices of the past and to build on the work of many generations before us to create a fair, just, and equitable world and a healthy planet.
In today's newsletter, you'll find key programs, updates, upcoming events, and funding opportunities that are advancing climate, housing, and land-use solutions across California.
Thank you for joining us!
| | LCI Advances International Partnerships
on Smart and Advanced Air Mobility | |
The California × Netherlands 2026 Exchange in June advanced international collaboration on smart and advanced air mobility, spearheaded by Director Samuel Assefa of the California Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) and King’s Commissioner Arthur van Dijk representing the Province of Noord-Holland.
Moving climate and aerospace partnerships from concepts to real-world deployment, the delegation achieved a breakthrough at NASA Ames Research Center.
There, Director Assefa, King’s Commissioner Van Dijk, NASA Ames Director Eugene Tu, Regional Mobility Minister Jeroen Olthof, and Consul General Agnes Koppelman witnessed the signing of a historic Letter of Intent on Smart Air Mobility Cooperation.
This agreement links California’s innovation ecosystem with Noord-Holland's premier living labs, including Den Helder Airport, to develop offshore wind logistics, smart and advanced air mobility innovations, and shared talent pipelines.
This milestone cements a transatlantic bridge active since 2009, building toward a formal bilateral memorandum scheduled for April 2027 during the Drive Forward Mission.
| $27.5 Million Available for Infrastructure Projects that Protect California Communities from Extreme Heat | |
We are excited to announce the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program (Extreme Heat Program) has been released with $27.5 million available for infrastructure projects that protect California communities from extreme heat!
The program’s Round 2 Guidelines cover the two project types — Early and Advanced Infrastructure — eligibility, partnership requirements, and more. Applicants need to submit a Pre-Application Interest Form in order to gain access to the Full Application. The submission window is already open, and we encourage prospective applicants to submit as soon as possible. For those that are interested in technical assistance, you must submit your Pre-Application by July 21st, 2026, on Submittable.
Please see the Calendar of Events for upcoming opportunities. For updates and more information, please sign up for Extreme Heat Program e-blasts and visit the Extreme Heat Program Round 2 webpage.
| Now Available: Statewide Vehicle Miles Traveled
Mitigation Program Guidance | |
LCI is excited to share that the Statewide Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Mitigation Program Guidance is now available. This Guidance supports the implementation of California’s new VMT Mitigation Bank created under Assembly Bill 130 (2025) — a tool that will help reduce regional vehicle miles traveled while expanding access to affordable homes in the places Californians need them most.
The VMT Mitigation Bank will allow California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) projects to meet transportation‑impact mitigation requirements by contributing to a statewide fund administered by HCD. Those funds will support affordable housing in locations that meaningfully lower VMT, advancing climate, equity, and housing goals together.
The public comment period for the Guidance closed on May 8, and we are responding to feedback through an updated FAQ.
Access the full VMT Mitigation Bank Guidance.
We look forward to continued collaboration as we work with partners across the state to bring this program to life.
| Invitation: Tribal Roundtables
on California’s General Plan Guidance Updates | |
LCI is hosting a Tribal Roundtable Series as part of the update to the General Plan Guidelines, Specific Plan Guidelines, and Tribal Consultation Guidelines. Phase #1 (July–September 2026) will focus on the General Plan Guidelines.
Tribes and delegated representatives are invited to join any of the upcoming virtual roundtables:
These roundtables do not replace opportunities for direct Tribal Consultation. For individual meetings, contact tribal.affairs@lci.ca.gov.
More information on future series will be shared as dates are finalized.
| Don't Miss Your Chance to Help Us Shape the
2026 Resilient California Summit; Registration Opening Soon! | |
The Call for Session Proposals (CFSP) for the 2026 Resilient California Summit closes July 17 and registration opens soon!
Taking place Oct. 20-22 in Sacramento, the Summit will convene partners from across the state to make progress on the policies, partnerships, and practices needed to build resilience and respond to the mounting impacts of climate change.
The Summit will feature interactive sessions exploring key insights from California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment, imagining the best possible future that remains within reach, and catalyzing the actions needed to turn that vision into reality.
Visit the Resilient California Summit website for updates. Please direct any Summit-related questions to events@climateresolve.org.
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| ICARP Technical Advisory Council's
Third Quarterly Meeting Coming in August | | |
Join the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program (ICARP)
Technical Advisory Council (TAC) for its third quarterly meeting!
Are you interested in learning more about Climate Resilience Districts and regional coordination models to fund resilience? Do you want to contribute to state adaptation planning guidance?
During its Aug. 7 meeting in Sacramento and virtually, the ICARP TAC will explore these issues and more. Meeting agenda and materials will be posted on the ICARP TAC website 10 calendar days prior to the meeting.
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California Strategic Growth Council (SGC)
News & Updates
| | Application Periods Are Open for Two Grant Programs Exclusively Available to Tribes | |
New Tribal Funding Booklet
The SGC released an online Tribal Funding Booklet on June 22 that provides an overview of SGC’s grant programs and how they can benefit Tribes on the newly created Tribal Initiative page. The booklet includes information about timelines, eligibility, Tribal funding priorities, and previously awarded Tribal projects. The Tribal Initiative page provides information about all SGC programs, resources, and opportunities that are available to Tribes.
| | | | Transformative Climate Communities Program
Is Offering Application Office Hours | | |
Do you have questions about the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Round 6 application?
Come speak with the TCC team during our Office Hours.
Every other Tuesday throughout the application period you can ask your questions directly to the TCC team.
The schedule of Office Hours is posted on the TCC Round 6 webpage.
| Programs Release Request for Information
for Implementation Technical Assistance | |
The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) has released a Request for Information (RFI) to inform future Implementation Technical Assistance (TA) offerings for the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) and Community Resilience Centers (CRC) programs.
SGC will host an informational webinar July 8 at 2:30 p.m. to discuss objectives for Implementation TA, including anticipated timelines, audience, TA provider expectations, and capacity needs.
The RFI will be open for approximately one month.
Sign up for the TCC and CRC email lists to stay informed about the programs.
| | Racial Equity Commission News & Updates | | Save-the-Date and Notice of Agenda
for the Commission's Next Meeting on July 9 | | |
Join the California Racial Equity Commission virtually or in person for a Commission meeting starting at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 9.
Attend in person at the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, 1400 10th St., Room 203, Sacramento, CA 95814, or access the livestream via Zoom or the Commission’s YouTube channel.
| | Racial Equity Commission Revisits Sankofa Elders Project
to Foster Continued Collaboration and Learning | | |
The Commission returned to Los Angeles for a second visit with the Sankofa Elders Project to continue hearing directly from Black elders about what it means to age with dignity. Community members shared experiences related to rising housing costs, fixed incomes, neighborhood change, health care access, generational medical mistrust, and systems that often require people to fight to be heard.
This revisit also connects to the Commission’s broader charge to support implementation of the Racial Equity Framework, including work that can help advance equity outcomes tied to California’s Master Plan for Aging. The Framework highlights the importance of community-informed implementation, including efforts that support older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers.
Through its technical assistance and implementation work, the Commission will carry these reflections forward to help state agencies connect community wisdom to the policies, programs, services, and decisions that shape outcomes for older Californians.
| | Work Wednesdays Spotlight Series | | |
Work Wednesday is LCI and SGC’s newest social media campaign to spotlight our employees behind California’s climate, equity, and community development efforts.
Tune in to the video below and find all Work Wednesday videos on our YouTube playlist.
| | An Le, SGC’s Summer Fellow | | |
That's all for now! See you in a month!
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