September 2022

On the heels of Governor Newsom’s statewide homelessness tour, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) announced awards totaling $427.9 million from the No Place Like Home program. No Place Like Home dedicates up to $2 billion in bond funds to build permanent housing with supportive services for Californians who live with severe mental illness and are experiencing homelessness, chronic homelessness, or are at-risk of chronic homelessness. The bonds will be repaid by funding from California’s Mental Health Services Act.

“The No Place Like Home awards are a key part of the state’s continued collaboration across all levels of government and communities to take urgent, meaningful action to address California’s homelessness crisis,” said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez. “By teaming up to provide permanent housing and supportive services, our hope is fewer Californians will experience homelessness by finding safe, affordable homes.”

These awards follow Governor Newsom’s statewide tour on homelessness, 100-day challenge to cities and counties, and announcement of 286 state-owned properties immediately available to cities and counties to use for homelessness solutions. Governor Newsom also released $650 million for the state Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program, included more than $1 billion in his proposed budget, and continues to challenge cities and counties to partner with the state on immediate impact solutions to tackle homelessness.

The awarded counties listed below represent jurisdictions with five percent or more of the state’s homeless population that have self-selected to be “Alternative Process Counties,” which allows them to administer their own competitive distributions of No Place like Home funding within their respective jurisdictions.

The next round of competitive No Place Like Home funding is scheduled to be announced this summer.

For additional information and questions regarding the No Place Like Home program, visit the NPLH webpage or email NPLH@hcd.ca.gov.

No Place Like Home Program Funding Awards

$427.9 Million Awarded – March 11, 2020

SACRAMENTO — Huntington Beach now has a state-approved housing plan and is back in compliance with state housing-element law. After falling out of compliance with state housing element law in 2015, increased pressure from Governor Newsom and California’s Attorney General resulted in renewed focus from Huntington Beach on meeting its affordable housing obligations.

The city regained housing-element compliance by adopting zoning that allows opportunity for at least 413 new affordable homes. This new zoning also creates a streamlined “by-right” review on developments that make at least 20 percent of its homes affordable to lower-income households. In addition, these efforts led to the provision of a $3 million acquisition loan from the city to Jamboree Housing to build a 43-unit, 100-percent affordable housing development. The development will be located on one of the “development opportunity” sites identified in the city’s housing element.

Issuance of compliance does not end the lawsuit. The court continues to have jurisdiction unless a dismissal is entered. HCD intends to file a stipulated dismissal of its claims, memorializing that Huntington Beach adopted an amended housing element on February 3, 2020; that HCD certified the amended housing element on March 24; and that it substantially complies with California housing-element law.

In addition, Alturas, Atwater, Fort Jones, Maywood, and Pismo Beach joined the growing list of jurisdictions that now have state-approved housing plans (known as “housing elements”). Of the 47 jurisdictions found out-of-compliance with state housing law 2019, 22 now have state approved housing plans

Cities and counties must incorporate a variety of strategies into their housing plans to show they can meet their communities’ housing needs.

Atwater — The city renewed its focus on housing, making several achievements above and beyond simply coming into compliance. Atwater made several zoning changes to encourage housing for people with special needs who are experiencing homelessness and removed barriers to creating multifamily housing.

“After meeting with the Governor, I made it the City of Atwater’s priority to get the city’s housing element into compliance, which would allow the city to become eligible for state housing funding,” said Atwater Mayor Paul Creighton. “It is my commitment as the mayor, along with our city council, to continue to move Atwater forward and build these relationships on local, state, and federal levels.”

Alturas — A small city of slightly more than 2,500 people, Alturas has not complied with housing-element law since 2005. With slowing population growth, Alturas’ plan focuses approaches to conserve and improve existing housing, including use of “Renovation Volunteers” to donate time and renovate homes for people with low incomes and special needs.

Fort Jones — A tiny city in Siskiyou County, Fort Jones’ mayor traveled the length of the entire state to make it to the mayor’s Housing Summit in Long Beach to show support for housing. Since that day, the city has worked closely and cooperatively with HCD to become compliant, illustrating that even cities with populations under 1,000 can achieve this important goal.

Maywood — At slightly more than a square mile, Maywood is one of the smallest cities in the Los Angeles area, yet, has taken big steps forward to address the housing needs of its community. The city targeted commercial areas to encourage multifamily housing on infill sites and recently adopted new zoning to encourage affordable and senior housing. The city will also revisit its parking requirements and plans to make major process improvements for design review and permitting.

Pismo Beach — Though out of compliance for close to a decade, Pismo Beach made several meaningful actions to plan for existing and future residents. In addition to up-zoning areas to accommodate the housing needs of lower-income households, Pismo Beach committed to increasing densities (allowing more homes/apartments per acre) to facilitate mixed-use (residential plus commercial) development in its downtown. The city will also create incentives to increase workforce housing and proactively partner with affordable developers to help increase the supply of affordable homes

“Housing affordability was already a top priority and now we’re moving into incredibly uncertain times. More than ever before, we need to ensure consistency and create stability for families who will be facing incredible hardship,” said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez. “After years of noncompliance, it gratifying to see cities with state-approved housing plans and inspiring to see many going above and beyond to incorporate innovative approaches to meet the housing needs of everyone in their communities. The state is proud to be working in close partnership to support local governments in doing the right thing for Californians who struggle to make ends meet and do everything we can to protect those most in need.”

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) awarded a total of $85.5 million to developers and counties throughout California in the first round of funding for the Housing for a Healthy California program. Funding for the program comes from both the federal National Housing Trust Fund and California’s Building Homes and Jobs Trust Fund.

Many people experiencing homelessness are frequent users of emergency rooms, inpatient care, and nursing homes, forced to use these expensive systems as a means for both healthcare and temporary housing. Housing for a Healthy California serves people experiencing homelessness or chronic homelessness who are also high-cost users of healthcare systems by creating permanent housing with supportive services. The program can also be used for rental assistance or to rehabilitate existing housing developments.

These awards follow Governor Newsom’s February statewide tour on homelessness, 100-day challenge to cities and counties, and announcement of 286 state-owned properties immediately available to cities and counties to lease for $1 to use for homeless solutions. Governor Newsom also released $650 million in State Emergency Homeless Aid, featured more than $1 billion in his proposed budget, and continues to challenge cities and counties to partner with the state on immediate impact solutions to tackle homelessness.

With the awards listed below, developers (Article I) and cities and counties (Article II) can move toward acquisition, new construction, rehabilitation, rental assistance, and more to provide individuals and families safe, stable places to call home.

The 2020 Housing for a Healthy California funding for developers (Article I) was announced at the end of February 2020.

For additional information about Housing for a Healthy California, visit the Housing for a Healthy California webpage or email HousingforHealthyCA@hcd.ca.gov.

Housing for a Healthy California Program Funding Awards

$85.5 Million Awarded – April 1, 2020

Article I – Developers

Article II – Counties

SACRAMENTO — Zack Olmstead was sworn in today as Chief Deputy Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). He was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom on April 2, 2020.

Olmstead is stepping up from his role as deputy director of housing policy development at HCD, in which he has served since 2017. Olmstead was also assistant director of homelessness and housing policy from 2016 to 2017. Most recently he has been working closely with the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency on the COVID-19 response in housing.

"I'm thrilled to assume this role at HCD and continue serving the state," said Olmstead. "It's not lost on me that I'm taking on this position during Public Service Recognition Week, and I'm excited to join the great team of public servants Governor Newsom has brought together to tackle California's housing issues. I look forward to working with Secretary Castro Ramirez, HCD's new director Gustavo Velasquez, and the entire team at HCD."

Before joining HCD, Olmstead was senior assistant to Speaker Toni G. Atkins in the California State Assembly from 2013 to 2016. Olmstead was also homeless policy director at Housing California from 2006 to 2013. He earned a Master of Public Policy and Administration degree from California State University, Sacramento.

West Sacramento, Calif. — The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC), and Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) are pleased to announce a new $17 million program that will provide loans to increase the use of low- and no-value wood from Tuolumne County forests and provide an alternative to pile burning of forest waste. The loans are available to small businesses, nonprofits and public entities including federally recognized Tribes that are located in or locating to Tuolumne County. Applicants are required to provide new, permanent job opportunities, predominantly for low- and moderate-income individuals.

HCD received an award from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Community Development Block Grant – National Disaster Resilience funding to demonstrate how expanding biomass-based businesses could make Tuolumne County more resilient as it continues to rebuild from the devastation of the 2013 Rim Fire. HCD partnered with SNC to lead the effort to establish a new Biomass Utilization Fund to encourage the use of forest biomass and increase community and forest resilience.

“This funding for loans will go far to meet the state’s goal of creating resilience in the county and can serve as a model that can be replicated in other parts of the state,” said Jennifer Seeger, HCD’s Acting Deputy Director for HCD’s Division of Financial Assistance.

HCD and SNC have entered into an agreement with RCAC to manage the Biomass Utilization Fund. Applications are being accepted now, and all applications received by June 12, 2020 will be given the same consideration. Applications received after June 12 will be evaluated based on the availability of funds. Recipients of Biomass Utilization Fund loans must document job creation and expend all funds by April 30, 2022.

“We’re thrilled to be working with RCAC on this program to boost the restoration economy in Tuolumne County,” said SNC Executive Officer Angela Avery. “SNC is hearing from communities across the Sierra Nevada that the timing couldn't be better to invest in job creation and forest resilience."

“RCAC is honored and enthused to manage the loan making process for this important endeavor to further Tuolumne County’s resilience and rebuilding effort. We have a number of business loan products that we believe will complement Biomass Utilization Fund resources and further the goal of creating jobs for county residents,” said RCAC Chief Executive Officer Suzanne Anarde.

More information about the loans and application materials are available at www.rcac.org/BUF.

RCAC and SNC will host a webinar for interested parties to learn more on May 12. Click on this link to register, or contact RCAC Events staff at (916) 447-9832 ext. 1429, or email registration@rcac.org.

RCAC is an equal opportunity lender.

About the Department of Housing and Community Development

The California Department of Housing and Community Development promotes safe, affordable homes and vibrant communities throughout California by increasing the supply of affordable places to live, preserving affordable homes, and ensuring California plans for a range of housing that meets the varied needs of Californians.

About Rural Community Assistance Corporation

Founded in 1978, RCAC provides training, technical and financial resources and advocacy so rural communities can achieve their goals and visions. RCAC serves rural communities in 13 western states and western Pacific islands. Services are available to communities with populations of fewer than 50,000, other nonprofit groups, Tribal organizations, farmworkers, colonias and other specific populations. RCAC staff provides direct services in collaboration with local and community partnerships in three program areas: affordable housing, environmental services and lending. RCAC provides loans, including small business loans, technical and economic development assistance to rural communities and nonprofit organizations in its service region. To find out more about RCAC's Loan Fund products, visit http://www.rcac.org/programs-services/.

About the Sierra Nevada Conservancy

SNC is a California state agency that initiates, encourages, and supports efforts that improve the environmental, economic, and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, its communities, and the citizens of California. To learn more about SNC, visit http://www.sierranevada.ca.gov.

SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) awarded $4.75 million to homeless shelters throughout California from the Pet Assistance and Support program. This funding provides shelter, food, and basic veterinary services for pets owned by individuals experiencing homelessness, along with the staffing and liability insurance necessary to provide those services. This program was authorized by the 2019 Budget Act (amended by Section 16 of Senate Bill 109).

“Pets provide comfort, companionship, and even protection. To many people, pets are considered loyal family members,” said HCD Director, Gustavo Velasquez. “Thanks to this program, pet owners who are experiencing homelessness no longer have to choose between keeping their companion or having a safe place to lay their head at night.”

These awards follow the launch of Governor Newsom’s latest homelessness initiatives, including new programs and funding in response to the COVID-19 health emergency. Project Roomkey places individuals experiencing homelessness into hotels, motels, and trailers and provides additional funding to local governments and Continuums of Care (regional or local planning bodies that coordinate housing and services funding for homeless families and individuals) for shelter support. Governor Newsom also issued an executive order putting a temporary hold on evictions for renters affected by COVID-19 and reached an agreement with financial institutions to give relief options for homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage.

For additional information, visit the Pet Assistance and Support program webpage or email PetAssistanceSupport@hcd.ca.gov.

Pet Assistance and Support Program Funding Awards

$4.75 Million Awarded – June 1, 2020

The California Department of Housing and Community Development, in partnership with the California Department of Social Services, County Welfare Directors Association of California, and the California Department of Finance, awarded a total of $7.9 million to counties throughout the state from the Transitional Housing Program.

Funded by the Budget Act of 2019, the Transitional Housing Program provides funding to county child welfare agencies across California to help young adults (ages 18 through 25) secure and maintain stable housing, with priority given to those in the foster care and probation systems. Some of the funds will be used for outreach, so agencies can find and serve those within each community who have the most-complex needs.

The Transitional Housing Program will help young adults who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness overcome some of the barriers they face in finding and maintaining safe homes. “These young adults are California’s future,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “Without support, the odds are stacked against them. By connecting them to stable homes, they gain access to opportunity and a chance to thrive, and when our young people thrive, we all win.”

For more information, visit the Transitional Housing Program webpage or email THP@hcd.ca.gov.

Transitional Housing Program Funding

Awards $7.9 Million Awarded – June 2, 2020

*Excludes Alpine and Sierra counties because their calculation did not demonstrate a need for young adults aged 18-25.

The Department of Housing and Community Development has released Notices of Funding Availability for $61 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding through the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

“This pandemic hit Californians and communities throughout the state in a devastating way, particularly smaller communities that did not have a lot of resources to begin with,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “These funds will help rural communities and those serving people experiencing homelessness to respond to and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.”

Approximately $42 million will be available through the Emergency Solutions Grants program to address immediate and long-term needs of Californians experiencing homelessness. Funds will be used to help people quickly get back into housing (“rapid rehousing”) if they experience homelessness; connect people at-risk of or experiencing homelessness to services and housing; help operate emergency shelters and provide disease-prevention training; and create permanent, affordable homes with supportive services for people who need extra support to remain stable. Local governments and Continuums of Care — regional planning bodies that coordinate housing and services to address homelessness — are eligible to apply.

Another $19 million will be available through Community Development Block Grant funding to provide a much-needed boost for economic development, helping businesses and microenterprises avoid job losses and closures, increasing public services, providing mortgage/utility assistance, acquiring real property to be used for COVID-19 treatment and recovery, improving facilities, and more. California cities and counties that do not participate in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s CDBG “entitlement” program (in which larger cities/counties receive funding directly from HUD) are eligible to apply.

All funds awarded under the CARES Act must be used for COVID-19 response and recovery.

For more information please visit HCD’s Emergency Solutions Grants program webpage and Community Development Block Grant webpage.