Disadvantaged communities in California are targeted for investment of proceeds from the state’s Cap-and-Invest Program. These investments are aimed at improving public health, quality of life and economic opportunities in California’s most burdened communities, and at the same time, reducing pollution that causes climate change. The investments are authorized by the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 32, Nunez, 2016). 

In 2012, Senate Bill 535 (De León, Chapter 830, Statutes of 2012) established initial requirements for minimum funding levels to “Disadvantaged Communities” (DACs). The legislation also gives CalEPA the responsibility for identifying those communities, stating that CalEPA’s designation of disadvantaged communities must be based on “geographic, socioeconomic, public health, and environmental hazard criteria.” 

In 2016, Assembly Bill 1550 (Gomez, Chapter 369, Statutes of 2016) directed CalEPA to identify DACs and also established the currently applicable minimum funding levels: 

• At least 25 percent of funds must be allocated toward DACs 
• At least 5 percent must be allocated toward projects within low-income communities or benefiting low-income households 
• At least 5 percent must be allocated toward projects within and benefiting low-income communities, or low-income households, that are outside of a CalEPA-defined DAC but within ½ mile of a disadvantaged community 

Preliminary Designation of Disadvantaged Communities – June 2026 

CalEPA issued previous DAC designations in 2014, 2017, and 2022. The 2026 DAC designation builds on lessons learned from previous designations, utilizes the latest and best available data, and considers factors related to data unavailability. CalEPA is proposing to define communities in terms of census tracts and include the following in the 2026 DAC designation:  

1. Census tracts with the highest 25 percent of CalEnviroScreen 5.0 overall scores. 
2. Census tracts with the highest 5 percent of CalEnviroScreen 5.0 pollution burden scores. 
3. Census tracts that overlap at least 25 percent with a 2022 DAC-designated census tract based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0.    
4. Lands under the control of federally recognized tribes, with updated tribal boundaries data.

See the full 2026 Preliminary DAC Designation in English or Spanish, or download the general fact sheet.

CalEnviroScreen 5.0 

Developed by CalEPA’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), the CalEnviroScreen mapping tool identifies California communities with the highest pollution burdens and vulnerabilities. CalEPA uses CalEnviroScreen to identify DACs, and to better understand and address environmental concerns in California communities. On June 24, 2026, OEHHA released a final version of CalEnviroScreen Version 5.0. For the first time, CalEnviroScreen was updated using a co-design process with eight community-based organizations. CalEnviroScreen Version 5.0 also includes more recent data, updated census tract geography, improved methodology, and additional indicators. CalEnviroScreen 5.0 can be accessed here.   

We want to hear from you and receive your feedback on the designation of disadvantaged communities. The public comment period for the 2026 DAC designation will be open until 5:00 p.m. on August 14, 2026. To submit a public comment, please send your comment to DACinquiries@calepa.ca.gov.  

CalEPA is hosting two virtual public workshops to receive input and feedback. Spanish interpretation and translation of the materials will be available.     

Workshop information 

Thursday, July 9, 2026, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Register here. Passcode: 384543 

Friday, July 17, 2026, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Register here. Passcode: 084134 

There will be one virtual Tribal Workshop on the Disadvantaged Communities Designation. The Tribal Workshop is by invite only, please reach out to TribalAffairs@calepa.ca.gov for questions and invite.