California Housing Grants $162.9 million in Proposition 46 Grants

LOS ANGELES -- "More than 10,000 hardworking California residents and their families in 36 counties will have affordable housing opportunities thanks to the most recent award of $162.9 million of Proposition 46 funds," announced Sunne Wright McPeak, Secretary for the California Business, Tranportation and Housing Agency. Since the passage of Proposition 46 in November 2002 the Department of Housing and Community Development within BTH has awarded funds to create or provide incentives for more than 63,000 affordable rental or owner occupied homes and shelter spaces throughout California.

"Today's award continues the Proposition 46 promise to increase the supply of affordable housing for California's workforce and low income residents and the Governor's directive to expedite release of these funds," McPeak continued. Lucetta Dunn, Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development noted that with this current award 10,000 affordable homes will be provided for 10,000 families.

The $162.9 million will benefit the economies of the communities in the 36 counties through the construction activities and jobs the awards will generate:

-- $131 million in commitments through the Multifamily Housing Program will provide permanent low-interest loans for the construction of new affordable apartment homes and rehabilitation of existing affordable units. Californians who make up the vital workforce that is the backbone of our economy, seniors, the disabled, veterans and those transitioning from homelessness are among the beneficiaries of the homes that will be constructed or rehabilitated. The awards will help 1,862 California individuals and families realize the dream of an affordable rental home.

-- $8.9 million in commitments through the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program which offers loans and grants for construction and rehabilitation of affordable owner-occupied and rental apartment homes for farm workers and their families. These funds will help 608 farm worker families secure affordable housing. Activities funded include land acquisition, site development, construction and rehabilitation.

-- $23 million is awarded through the Workforce Housing Program which provides financial incentives to cities and counties for issuance of building permits for 7,874 new homes affordable to lower income households. Cities and counties approved 7,190 new rental homes and issued permits for 684 homeownership units for lower income families. Of the 84 local governments receiving Workforce Housing Program awards, 36 also received bonus grant funds for their significant progress in meeting their overall housing need.

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) provides leadership, policies and programs to preserve and expand safe and affordable housing opportunities and promote strong communities for all Californians. The Department also supports increasing the supply of housing, especially affordable housing and works to improve the State's housing conditions and the health and safety of its residents. As the lead Housing Department, HCD is part of the State of California, Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.

Los Angeles Region
The Los Angeles Region was awarded more than $39.7 million to provide housing for 2,460 families in the greater Los Angeles Region. This includes $31.4 million to create affordable apartment homes through the Multifamily Housing Program, $6.3 million in Workforce Housing Grants, and $1.9 million to create apartment homes for farm worker families through the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmwoker Housing Program. (For details, see Editor's Note.)

Central Valley
The Central Valley applicants received $12.4 million to provide housing for 1,274 families in the Central Valley, including more than $4.1 million to create affordable apartment homes through the Multifamily Housing Program, $5 million through the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program, and more than $3.2 million through the Workforce Housing Grant program. (For details, see Editor's Note.)

San Francisco/Bay Area Region
The San Francisco/Bay Area Region was awarded $100.6 million to provide housing for 3,846 families in the San Francisco/Bay Area Region. This includes over $93.8 million to create affordable apartment homes through the Multifamily Housing Program, $775,000 through the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program and $6 million from the Workforce Housing Grant program. (For details, see Editor's Note.)

Greater Sacramento/Stockton Region
The Greater Sacramento/Stockton Region was awarded $2.9 million in Workforce Housing Grants to reward jurisdictions for approving housing for 973 families in the Greater Sacramento/Stockton Region. (For details, see Editor's Note.)

San Diego Region
The San Diego Region was awarded more than $2.4 million in Workforce Housing Grants to reward local jurisdictions for approving housing for 913 families. (For details, see Editor's Note.)

Inland Empire
The Inland Empire applicants were awarded $22.2 million to provide housing for 946 families in the Inland Empire. This includes $18.9 million through the Multifamily Housing Program for 444 families, $1.6 million through the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program, and more than $1.6 million in Workforce Housing Program Grants. (For details, see Editor's Note.)

Other Regions
Other regions received more than $5.9 million in 16 different cities and counties throughout California, including $1.6 million to create affordable apartment homes through the Multifamily Housing Program, $1.1 million through the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program and more than $3.1 million through the Workforce Housing Grant program. Other regions will be serving 1,190 families. (For details, see Editor's Note.)

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