Brady PieperCalifornia is announcing a first-in-the-nation program and web platform that streamlines affordable housing development throughout the state.
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Department of General Services (DGS) are launching the renewed Excess Sites Program to retroactively connect housing developers with state-owned land plots suitable for affordable housing construction. The new initiative seeks to improve the speed and efficiency of state processes that lease land to housing developers.
“Today, we are taking significant steps to enhance the management of state-owned land,” DGS Director Ana M. Lasso said. “The streamlined processes will help to ensure valuable resources are utilized effectively for growth and community development.”
Under guidance of California Executive Order N-6-19, HCD and DGS were tasked with evaluating all state-owned property and prioritizing land for affordable housing redevelopment. Since the order, the departments have jointly identified dozens of underutilized sites across the state that could provide housing relief.
The new affordable housing hub will allow developers opportunities to review all sites on the State Excess Sites map and submit proposals for specific sites until submission deadlines are set. Depending on the proposal, the state may award funding for selected developers to expand the state’s affordable housing options.
HCD and DGS are offering a combination of local, state and federal funds to eligible developers for housing initiatives, including funding from the Excess Sites Local Government Matching Grants Program, Tax Credit Allocation Committee, the California Housing Accelerator Program and the Multifamily Housing Program.
Currently, the state is engaged with developers for three affordable housing projects under construction in Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe and Riverside, according to DGS’
affordable housing repository. The three projects are expected to create approximately 581 units on state-owned plots.
The DGS repository also lists over 15 additional projects in development, utilizing excess state-owned property identified by HCD and DGS as prime for redevelopment to housing.
Three developments in the affordable housing pipeline have already concluded construction and are offering housing services to residents in South Lake Tahoe, Sacramento and Reedley.
Combined, the state’s current pipeline of projects will create nearly 4,300 housing units while estimating the capacity for at least an additional 2,000 homes on newly released sites.
Interested developers can learn more about California’s affordable housing initiatives on DGS’ dedicated hub for State Affordable Housing Programs, which includes the renewed Excess Sites Program. Developers can engage with the state on potential housing proposals through HCD’s Developer Interest Portal.
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