Open Framework · California Stewardship Alliance
City Adoption
Playbook
Four steps. Eighteen to twenty-four months. Workforce families in homes they own. CSA provides the full toolkit — at no charge.
Before You Begin
CSA handles the hard parts for free.
Every jurisdiction that adopts Built Right receives the complete policy toolkit: model resolutions, legal documents, eligibility frameworks, design competition structures, and access to our certified manufacturer network. There are no licensing fees, no consultant contracts required, and no proprietary systems to buy into.
Your jurisdiction needs three things: a site (0.5–1 acre), political will, and a governing body prepared to pass three formal motions. CSA provides everything else.
The Adoption Path
Four steps to your first homes.
The path from governing body interest to occupied workforce homes typically runs 18–24 months. Each step has a defined endpoint. CSA is with you at every one.
Step One · Months 1–2
Adoption Resolution
The governing body formally directs staff to pursue a Built Right pilot. This resolution establishes the program’s intent, authorizes CSA as the technical partner, and directs the city attorney to review the model ownership documents. It requires a simple majority vote.
The resolution does not commit the jurisdiction to a specific site or budget. It authorizes exploration, designates staff leads, and puts the program on the public record — which matters when the design competition opens.
CSA Provides at No Charge
- ✓ Model Adoption Resolution (jurisdiction-ready draft language)
- ✓ Staff briefing deck and public FAQ
- ✓ Council presentation support (in-person or remote)
Step Two · Months 2–5
Site Review & Eligibility Framework
CSA works with staff to evaluate candidate parcels against the Built Right site criteria: minimum 0.5 acres, utilities stubbed or accessible, no deed restrictions that prohibit residential use, clear title, and no active environmental encumbrances. Jurisdictions typically identify two to four candidate sites at this stage.
Simultaneously, the jurisdiction’s local eligibility framework is drafted: the AMI band (typically 80–100%), occupational preference categories if the jurisdiction chooses to include them (workforce, municipal employees, essential services), and household size tiers. CSA provides a model framework and a demographic review protocol to ensure the eligibility criteria are legally defensible and locally appropriate.
This step ends with a second governing body action: site designation and eligibility framework adoption.
CSA Provides at No Charge
- ✓ Site Criteria Checklist & Scoring Matrix
- ✓ Model Eligibility Framework (customizable by jurisdiction)
- ✓ Demographic Review Protocol (fair housing compliance)
- ✓ Model Site Designation Resolution
Step Three · Months 5–12
The Built Right Design Competition
An open call to precision-built manufacturers to submit site-specific proposals for the designated parcel. CSA manages the competition structure and jury process; the jurisdiction selects its community jury panel. Manufacturers submit complete proposals: unit count, design, specifications, delivery timeline, and final sale price per unit.
The competition runs four to six months from open call to finalist selection. CSA distributes the RFP to its certified manufacturer network statewide — jurisdictions benefit from the full pipeline of vetted precision-built partners without having to build those relationships from scratch.
The competition closes with a community presentation of the finalists and a governing body vote to select the winning proposal. This is the design that gets built.
Open Call
Published to statewide manufacturer network + public RFP portal
Jury Review
Community panel evaluates design, cost, timeline, and fit
Selection Vote
Governing body approves winning proposal at public meeting
CSA Provides at No Charge
- ✓ Model Request for Proposals (jurisdiction-customizable)
- ✓ Jury Structure & Scoring Rubric
- ✓ Certified Manufacturer Network access (statewide pipeline)
- ✓ Competition administration support & timeline management
Step Four · Months 12–18
Ownership Architecture & Build
The ownership structure is encoded into local code and recorded against the site. The jurisdiction executes the 99-year ground lease, adopts the AMI-indexed resale formula by ordinance, records the right of first refusal, and establishes the working capital reserve fund. These legal instruments are the permanent infrastructure of the program — they survive council turnover and cannot be quietly unwound.
With the ownership architecture in place, the winning manufacturer begins site preparation and fabrication. Precision-built homes are delivered and installed. The Phase 1 lottery opens to income-qualified applicants, and families close on their first homes.
CSA Provides at No Charge
- ✓ Model 99-Year Ground Lease
- ✓ AMI-Indexed Resale Formula Ordinance Language
- ✓ Right of First Refusal Agreement (recorded instrument)
- ✓ Working Capital Reserve Fund Structure & Model Ordinance
- ✓ Homebuyer Lottery & Selection Protocol
What Your Governing Body Actually Votes On
Three motions. That’s the full governing body commitment.
Built Right is designed to move within a single governing term on three discrete votes. Each is a clear, bounded action.
Adoption Resolution
Directs staff to pursue a Built Right pilot, authorizes CSA as technical partner, and directs the city attorney to review model ownership documents. Does not commit a site or budget — authorizes exploration.
Site Designation & Eligibility Framework
Designates the specific parcel and adopts the local eligibility framework (AMI band, household qualifications, any occupational preference categories). Authorizes issuance of the design competition RFP.
Ownership Architecture & Manufacturer Selection
Approves the winning design competition proposal, adopts the AMI-indexed resale formula ordinance, authorizes execution of the 99-year ground lease, and establishes the working capital reserve fund. This is the vote that builds the homes.
Complete Toolkit
Every document your jurisdiction needs.
CSA provides the following model documents to every adopting jurisdiction, fully customizable to local code and context. All at no charge.
Governing Body Actions
- → Model Adoption Resolution
- → Model Site Designation Resolution
- → Model AMI-Indexed Resale Formula Ordinance
- → Model Working Capital Reserve Fund Ordinance
Legal Instruments
- → Model 99-Year Ground Lease
- → AMI-Indexed Resale Formula (Exhibit to Ground Lease)
- → Right of First Refusal Agreement (Recorded)
- → Buyer Qualification & Lottery Protocol
Design Competition
- → Model Request for Proposals
- → Jury Structure & Scoring Rubric
- → Manufacturer Submission Requirements
- → Competition Administration Timeline
Policy & Outreach
- → Site Criteria Checklist & Scoring Matrix
- → Eligibility Framework Template
- → Demographic Review Protocol
- → Staff Briefing Deck & Public FAQ
Ready to bring Built Right to your jurisdiction?
CSA is accepting jurisdiction partnerships now. Contact us to schedule a briefing for your staff or governing body — no commitment required.