The California Department of Housing and Community Development has released over $660 million in the first round of awards from Proposition 1C, the $2.85 billion bond measure approved by voters in November 2006. SCANPH, working with statewide housing advocates, had played an important role in working for passage of Prop 1C on the November 2006 ballot.
The funds were awarded to projects between February 1 and June 30, 2008 in 34 counties to provide housing opportunities for more than 17,000 Californians. SCANPH members, including both affordable home builders and local government agencies, accounted for a substantial portion of the awards. A total of $117,009,376 in awards went to SCANPH members for 2518 affordable homes in over 7 counties, helping to stimulate the local regional economies with job creation and economic activity.
"These awards will bring much needed housing to communities throughout California by providing affordable housing opportunities, revitalizing neighborhoods, improving infrastructure and building affordable housing near transit," said Lynn L. Jacobs, HCD Director. "These bond funds also stimulate the economy by creating jobs up and down the state."
Awards were made through the following housing programs, including:
• $340 million awards through the Infill Infrastructure Grant (IIG) Program will provide infrastructure improvements to facilitate new housing development in residential and mixed use infill projects throughout California, including parks or open space; water, sewer, or other utility service improvements; streets, roads, parking structures, or transit linkages and facilities; pedestrian or bicycle transit facilities; and traffic mitigation. SCANPH members were awarded for 11 projects totalling $52,829,144 and 1365 affordable homes.
• $145 million to provide funding through the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Housing Program to stimulate the production of higher density housing and related infrastructure within close proximity to transit stations that encourage increased public transit ridership and minimizes automobile trips. SCANPH members were awarded for 2 projects totalling $16,998,810 and 172 affordable homes.
• $69.8 million in awards through the Multifamily Housing Program's (MHP) General, Supportive Housing, and Homeless Youth funding components will provide permanent low-interest loans for the construction of new affordable apartment homes and rehabilitation of existing affordable units. SCANPH members were awarded for 9 projects totalling $28,591,422 and 381 affordable homes.
• $28.5 million in commitments through the Building Equity and Growth in Neighborhoods (BEGIN) program, which reduces local regulatory barriers to affordable ownership housing, and provides downpayment assistance loans to qualifying first-time low- and moderate-income buyers of homes. SCANPH members were awarded for 2 projects totalling $3,060,000 and 102 affordable homes.
• $13.9 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. SCANPH members were awarded for 7 projects totalling $10,130,000 and 295 affordable homes.
• $63.8 million through CalHome which awards funds for low -income households to become or remain homeowners provided homeownership opportunities. Also, CalHome assists first-time homebuyers with downpayment assistance, home rehabilitation, including the purchase and rehabilitation of manufactured homes. SCANPH members were awarded for 7 projects totalling $5,400,000 and 203 affordable homes.
SCANPH and its members are making significant contributions to the Southern California economy with over $117 million in economic activity and job creation.
For a full list of the SCANPH members receiving Prop 1C awards in the first round, download it here.
