The TCAC/HCD Opportunity Map identifies California regions whose characteristics have been shown by research to support positive economic, educational, and health outcomes for low-income families – particularly long-term outcomes for families with children. The map advances the AFFH objectives of increasing access to opportunity.
The TCAC/HCD Opportunity Map was developed to inform statewide policy for funding affordable housing through the 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, and is now used across other state housing programs, including the 4% Low income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and HCD's Multifamily Super NOFA.
HCD recommends that those interested in using the Opportunity Map to inform land use policies, including the Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) process, use the COG Geography TCAC/HCD Opportunity Map in the AFFH Data Viewer. This map reflects similar methodology to the TCAC/HCD Opportunity Map, but incorporates a few refinements that are better aligned with land use planning. More information can be accessed here.
TCAC and HCD release an updated version of the TCAC/HCD Opportunity Map at the end of each year, incorporating newly available data, research, and responses to stakeholder feedback. If you have questions about the map, please contact affhguidance@hcd.ca.gov.
More information about the Opportunity Map can be accessed here (PDF).
Letters to Stakeholders
Each year, HCD and TCAC publish a letter to stakeholders responding to the feedback received during the most recent comment period. These letters provide additional context on the research basis that underpins the map’s methodological design, as well as documentation of methodological refinements that have been made over the years.
Responses to past letters:
The most recent letters to stakeholders are below:
- Response to Comments (PDF) — 01/09/2024
- Proposed Changes (PDF) — 10/23/2023
- Response to Comments (PDF) — 01/11/2023
- Proposed Changes (PDF) — 12/08/2022
- Response to Comments (PDF) — 12/01/2021
- Proposed Changes (PDF) — 10/15/2021
- Response to Comment (PDF) — 12/07/2020
- Proposed Changes (PDF) — 10/21/2020
- Response to Comments (PDF) — 06/05/2020
- Proposed Changes (PDF) — 04/24/2020
- Proposed Changes (PDF) — 09/26/2018
- Response to Comments (PDF) — 11/17/2017
- Memo (PDF) — 08/08/2017