Sacramento, California - Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the first proposed affordable housing development sites as part of his Excess Land for Affordable Housing executive order. The first Request for Proposal (RFP) on state-owned land will be issued in the City of Stockton to create affordable housing opportunities for low-income and middle class Californians who are struggling in the housing crisis.
“We have to use every tool in our toolbox to deliver more affordable housing for low-income and middle class Californians,” said Governor Newsom. “State government is stepping up and getting creative to address the cost crisis that is devastating working families across the state. Sacramento and Stockton’s leadership will set the example for other local governments to follow.”
Excess state properties were identified in a new interactive map released by DGS and screened to determine which sites would be potentially suitable for affordable housing development. Developing entities will receive a long-term ground lease from the state and will build, own and manage the housing they develop, subject to oversight from the state.
The Department of General Services (DGS) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) have been working with local jurisdictions on identifying initial housing sites and released a public mapping tool showing all possible sites. The RFP has been a collaboration between the state and the City of Stockton.
“This is incredible news for Stockton and an example of how state and local governments can partner together to address our housing crisis,” said Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs. “When we reached out to ask for assistance, Governor Gavin Newsom moved quickly, aligning state resources to help Stockton, which has seen the second highest rent increases in the nation.”
The locations of the properties for affordable housing in Stockton are 601 East Miner Avenue and 622 East Lindsay Street and are within the city’s Miner Avenue Complete Street Project, a rehabilitation and beautification project. This development will develop over 100 units with a minimum of 50 percent being affordable (80 percent AMI and under). Additional preference will be given to those projects proposing deeper affordability and additional affordable units. RFPs will be due November 27 and developers will be selected in January 2020.
Governor Newsom also announced that the Capitol Area Development Authority (CADA) and the City of Sacramento have been working together on a housing development in Sacramento.
“Sacramento’s downtown offers a walkable, full-service neighborhood for our hard-working residents with limited income,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “We appreciate the Newsom Administration’s diligent work to make excess, state-owned properties available for their highest and best use in the capital city: affordable housing. We need these new homes and will work with CADA to expedite their development.”
The site, 1322 O Street on the south side of O Street in downtown Sacramento known as “The Courtyard,” is an opportunity to showcase the type of innovative construction called for in Governor Newsom’s executive order. This expedited development is expected to consist of 32-45 units and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022.
“CADA is thrilled to participate in Governor Newsom’s innovative program that responds to California’s housing crisis,” said Wendy Saunders, executive director of CADA. “We look forward to providing new homes for Sacramento residents of limited income within the heart of our central city.”
