Brady PieperThe California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) announced $789.8 million in grants to 24 affordable housing projects around the state. These projects will help further the state’s mission to provide more affordable housing options to residents and generate lower greenhouse gas emissions in low-income communities.
“We cannot solve the homelessness crisis without creating new affordable homes,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a press release. “By creating livable communities with sustainable transportation options, we can meet both our state’s climate targets and our goal of providing affordable housing for every Californian.”
The 24 projects are part of the eighth round of awards distributed by the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program, which has delivered more than $3.8 billion to affordable housing and climate change initiatives. Projects funded by the AHSC program work to develop more affordable homes in areas close to schools, jobs and other daily designations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state. So far, this round of awards is the third-largest funding announcement from the program.
Projects will receive up to $49 million in AHSC funds to implement holistic, transit-oriented housing initiatives, resulting in the construction of 2,483 new rent-restricted homes. Notably, two-thirds of these homes will be in disadvantaged communities. Selected projects will span 20 different California counties, including major cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Sacramento, as well as smaller communities like Hemet and King City.
In addition to housing initiatives, these 24 projects will also subsidize the purchase of 52 new zero-emission transit vehicles, installation of approximately 100 new bus shelters and development and repair of over 100 miles of bike paths and pedestrian sideways promoting safe, accessible travel options.
Securing just over $49 million from AHSC, Berkeley’s Bridge Housing Corporation will develop a 120-unit housing plan on more than eight acres of parking space above North Berkeley BART station. Targeted at residents making 30-70% of the Area Median Income, the project includes the development of the housing structure, a pedestrian and bike plaza, sidewalk infrastructure and easier access to public transportation centers.
The Pacific Southwest Community Development Corporation in Oceanside is set to receive $48.2 million to construct a mixed-use residential and retail space, featuring 179 studio apartment homes and retail. With Oceanside’s need for affordable housing, the project will provide affordable apartment homes with convenient access to transit and downtown retail and services.
A project supporting a disadvantaged community in East Los Angeles will utilize $38 million to develop a 79-unit service-enriched affordable housing structure. In a partnership between Hollywood Community Housing and the County of Los Angeles, the Casa de la Luz project will also address two miles of bike lanes along a commercial corridor and purchase zero emission buses for Metro and local El Sol community shuttles.
The AHSC grant program is administered by the California Strategic Grant Council and implemented by HCD. The AHSC program also aligns with California Climate Investment, a statewide program that puts Cap-and-Trade dollars at work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health and strengthen the state economy, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
“These investments not only address the urgent need for affordable housing that is integrated with critical infrastructure in a holistic approach to development, but also contribute significantly to our fight against climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our most vulnerable communities,” Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation Director Sam Assefa said in a press release. “By integrating sustainable transportation with affordable housing, we are creating healthier, more resilient neighborhoods where all Californians can thrive.”
AHSC’s ninth round of funding is accepting online applications now until the end of Fall 2024. Eligible applicants will have discretionary land use approvals, site control and certificates of occupancy over 10 years evidencing competency in projects of similar size and scope.
A full list of round eight award recipients can be found on the California Strategic Grant Council’s announcements.
Will Buckner, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
