California Invests More than $789M to Build Affordable Housing and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in State’s Most Vulnerable Neighborhoods - Strategic Growth Council

The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) voted today to award $789,799,519 in grant funding to build more than 2,400 affordable homes and multiple green transportation improvement projects across the state, with more than two-thirds of housing units dedicated to lower-income communities.

Funding is part of the latest grant awards (Round 8) for the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program, which funds housing and transportation projects close to jobs, schools, and other daily destinations to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the state.

AHSC's Round 8 funding will create 2,483 new, rent-restricted homes - with more than 1,600 allotted to communities that meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's area median income (AMI) criteria for Extremely Low (15-30% AMI) or Very Low-Income (30% to 50% of AMI). In all, 24 different affordable housing projects will be created in 20 jurisdictions across the state.

In addition to creating housing, these 24 projects will also support the purchase of 52 new Zero Emission Transit Vehicles, installation of approximately 100 new bus shelters, construction of approximately 60 miles of bikeways, as well as repair and construction of more than 60 miles of sidewalks to create safe, accessible walkways. These projects will reduce an estimated 500,000+ MTC02e of greenhouse gases through green building investments and transportation improvements.

Read Governor Newsom's Press Release

Read More About the 24 Projects Awarded in Round 8

The AHSC Program is administered by SGC and implemented by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. It is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment-particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more.

At least 35% of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California.