The California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA) was created in 1988, under California’s Joint Exercise of Powers Act, to provide California’s local governments with an effective tool for the timely financing of community-based public benefit projects.

Although cities, counties and special districts are able to issue their own debt obligations or serve as a conduit issuer of private activity bonds that promote economic development and provide critical community services, many local agencies find stand-alone financings too costly or lack the necessary resources or experience to facilitate the bond issuance and perform post-issuance activities for the term of the bonds. In response, CSCDA was created by and for local governments in California, and is sponsored by the California State Association of Counties and the League of California Cities.

Currently, more than 530 cities, counties and special districts have become Program Participants to CSCDA – which serves as their conduit issuer and provides access to an efficient mechanism to finance locally-approved projects. CSCDA has issued more than $80 billion in tax-exempt bonds to help local governments build community infrastructure, provide affordable housing, create jobs, make access available to quality healthcare and education, and more. CSCDA provides an important resource to our local government members.

What is CSCDA?

The California Statewide Communities Development Authority (“CSCDA”) is a joint powers authority sponsored by the League of California Cities (“Cal Cities”) and the California State Association of Counties (“CSAC”). CSCDA was created by the Cal Cities and CSAC in 1988 to enable local government and eligible private entities access to low-cost, tax-exempt financing for projects that provide a tangible public benefit, contribute to social and economic growth and improve the overall quality of life in local communities throughout California. CSCDA has issued more than $80 billion through more than 2,000 financings since 1988 and consistently ranks in the top 10 of more than 3,000 nationwide public issuers of tax-exempt debt, as measured by annual issuance amount.

What is a Joint Powers Authority?

Under the Joint Exercise of Powers Act, two or more public agencies may by agreement jointly exercise any power common to those public agencies. CSCDA was established with the purpose of issuing bonds to finance projects within the jurisdiction of member public agencies to promote public benefit and pursue economic development.

How many public agencies are Program Participants of CSCDA?

Currently more than 530 California cities, counties, special districts and other agencies are members of CSCDA.

What CSCDA tax-exempt finance programs are available to qualifying nonprofit and private sector projects?

The following programs are offered by CSCDA to qualifying nonprofit and private-sector projects that provide public benefits to their communities:

• 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Bonds
• Multifamily and Senior Housing Bonds
• Exempt Facilities / Solid Waste / Recycling Facilities and Equipment Bonds
• Taxable Bonds

What CSCDA finance programs are available to public agencies?

A number of programs are offered by CSCDA that directly benefit California public agencies, including:

• Statewide Community Infrastructure Program (SCIP)
• Community Facility District Financing (CFDs)
• Total Road Improvement Programs (TRIP)
• Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing

What benefits does CSCDA offer to the nonprofit and private sectors?

CSCDA offers numerous benefits to the nonprofit and private sectors, including:

• Cost effective bond financing for a wide range of public benefit projects.
• Statewide joint powers authority status, allowing the financing of projects virtually anywhere in California.
• In depth knowledge on the issuance and post issuance compliance requirements of private activity bonds, including the state volume cap process when applicable.
• Extensive experience in working with all public finance professionals covering the California marketplace.
• Recognized identity in the tax-exempt marketplace, which is key to marketing the sale of bonds.
• Predictability, responsiveness and an unparalleled level of service.
• Minimal bureaucracy and paperwork.

How does a public agency become a Program Participant of CSCDA?

Any city, county, special district or other California local agency can become a member of CSCDA simply by having its governing board adopt a resolution and execute the joint powers agreement.

How much does it cost a public agency to be a Program Participant of CSCDA?

There’s no charge to become a member of CSCDA.

Does a public agency incur any liability by being a Program Participant of CSCDA?

No. The bonds issued by CSCDA are limited obligations of the borrower, not CSCDA or the Program Participant. The CSCDA joint powers agreement expressly provides that CSCDA is a public entity separate and apart from the Program Participants, and “its debts, liabilities and obligations do not constitute debts, liabilities or obligations of any party to the joint powers agreement.” The Program Participants are not responsible for any repayment of debt by borrowers, nor are they named in any of the bond documents.

What control does a Program Participant have in determining whether a project within its local jurisdiction is financed through CSCDA?

Federal tax law and Section 9 of the CSCDA joint powers agreement require that a public hearing be held in the jurisdiction where the project is located. This provides members of the public and the governing board the ability to comment and approve or disapprove the issuance of bonds for the project. Any project not approved by the local jurisdiction will not be financed through CSCDA.

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