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The Department of Housing and Community Development Awards $9.7 Million
in Proposition 46 Funding to Create Housing Opportunities for the Central Valley

Central Valley awardees

(Kerman) – California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director Lynn L. Jacobs today was joined by Business, Transportation and Housing Agency Secretary Sunne Wright McPeak in announcing over $9.7 million in Proposition 46 funds to the Central Valley. The awards were distributed to provide housing opportunities for 1,440 of California’s hardworking families and neediest residents. Proposition 46 is the $2.1 billion housing bond approved by voters in November 2002.

"When I became Governor, I ordered that Proposition 46 funding be expedited so homes and shelters could be built more quickly," said Gov. Schwarzenegger. "I am also proud to announce the first award of funds from my Initiative to End Chronic Homelessness. The award is given to a project in the city of Santa Cruz dedicated to helping chronically homeless individuals receive the shelter and services they need to regain a healthy and productive life." The Initiative to End Chronic Homelessness offers $40 million to assist homeless individuals and families transition to permanent, stable housing and lives.

"Gov. Schwarzenegger is committed to making affordable housing a reality for hardworking Californians and our neediest residents," said Secretary McPeak. "Today’s awards will help 1,440 families or individuals achieve that dream while supporting local economies through construction related activities.

Awards were made through the following HCD programs:

  • $5.7 million is awarded through the Workforce Housing Reward Program which provides financial incentives to cities and counties for issuance of building permits for 1,304 new homes affordable to lower income households.
  • $1.4 million through the CalHome Building Equity and Growth in Neighborhoods Program (BEGIN), which makes grants to cities and counties that have reduced regulatory barriers to the construction of new, affordable ownership housing. Barriers can include such constraints as minimum lot or floor area sizes that make housing more expensive. The grants are for down payment assistance loans to low- and moderate-income first-time buyers of 47 homes in BEGIN projects.
  • $2 million through the Emergency Housing Assistance Program – Capital Development Component which awards funds capital development activities for emergency shelters, transitional housing and safe havens that provide shelter and supportive services for homeless individuals and families with 62 shelter spaces.
  • $100,000 through the CalHome Self-Help Technical Assistance Allocation (CHSHTAA) which awards funds for activities such as construction supervision and training, site and house plan selection, homeownership training and help with building permits and inspections for the development of 7 homes for low or very low income households using the hands-on self-help method of building their own homes.
  • $500,000 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 20 farm worker families secure affordable housing. Activities funded include land acquisition, site development, construction and rehabilitation.

"The awards announced today will help local communities remove regulatory barriers and increase homeownership, "said Director Jacobs. "They will also provide California’s essential workforce and their families the safe and affordable housing they urgently need to live and work in their communities."

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 Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.