On August 17, 2021, the Victorville City Council approved the formation of the CRIA as a financial mechanism to help with the revitalization of the Old Town area as prescribed in the City's Old Town Specific Plan. Once established, the CRIA would have the ability to use property tax increment revenue generated within the Old Town Specific plan Area to fund revitalization activities in Old Town. 

Draft CRIA Plan

City of Victorville One Step Closer to Forming Revitalization Investment Authority for Old Town, Will Be First in California

UPCOMING MEETINGS

December 5, 2022, 5:00 p.m. 

Agendas

What is a CRIA? 

A Community Revitalization Investment Authority (CRIA) is a public body with jurisdiction to carry out community revitalization in a defined investment area. The state of California approved the formation of CRIAs in 2015 with the adoption of AB 2. 

Why establish a CRIA? 
After the state ended local funding for redevelopment in 2012, the CRIA is one of the only funding mechanisms available to local municipalities for revitalization efforts. The City of Victorville is establishing a CRIA as a tool to revitalize Old Town Victorville and develop affordable housing. 

How does Old Town qualify for a CRIA? 
The Old Town Area satisfies state requirements to form a CRIA ­the annual household income is below 80 percent of the statewide median, unemployment is at least 3 percent higher than the statewide median, crime rates are at least 5 percent higher than the statewide median, and the area has deteriorated commercial and residential structures. 

How does a CRIA work? 
The CRIA allows for tax increment financing. As developers and businesses improve and build on properties in the investment area; their properties will have a higher appraised value resulting in greater property tax assessment collected by the County. This increased assessment would occur even without a CRIA; but with it in place, the increased revenue is allocated directly to the CRIA for use only within the investment area. 

How can CRIA funds be used for Revitalization? 
The City plans to use property tax increment revenue for revitalization activities like infrastructure improvements; low- and moderate-income housing development; real property acquisition; loans or grants to owners and tenants to improve, rehabilitate and retrofit buildings; and business assistance. 

What are the benefits to the County? 
Higher appraised property values result in higher tax assessment for the County. Also, as Old Town is revitalized, the need for County support services is reduced. 

Who serves on the CRIA Board? 
Three Council Members and two community members, who live in Victorville and either reside and/or work in the Authority Plan Area, will comprise the Old Town CRIA Board. 

Does the CRIA impose a new tax? 
No. The increased revenue would not be generated from a new tax. Instead, the increased revenue or increment would result from rising property values within the project area. For example, as developers and businesses improve and build; their properties will have a higher appraised value resulting in greater property tax assessment collected by the County. This revenue would be allocated to the CRIA for use only within the investment area. 

Representatives

The CRIA Board must consist of Mayor Debra Jones, Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Irving, Council Member Elizabeth Becerra, Jennifer Neri and Steve Blech. 

Inquiries

Inquiries regarding the Community Revitalization Investment Authority can be directed to (760) 955-5135 or the CRIA Representative.