Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the groundbreaking of Monarch, an affordable housing project in Sacramento. The development is part of a larger initiative to transform underutilized state lands into affordable housing, as outlined in Governor Newsom’s executive order. The Monarch community will replace a former state-owned storage warehouse with 241 homes designated for low- to extremely low-income residents.
The Excess Sites Program, initiated by Governor Newsom, aims to alleviate California’s housing shortage by repurposing excess state land for residential use. It was the first program in the nation to release all identified suitable state land for such developments. This program is managed by the Department of General Services and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), which have created a digital inventory of available properties.
“Today’s groundbreaking in Sacramento illustrates the life-altering possibilities of converting excess and underutilized state lands into thriving local communities,” said Governor Newsom. The Monarch project is one of 32 awarded through this program, which aims to produce over 4,300 housing units across various locations.
Monarch will be situated in a mixed-use neighborhood close to transit and amenities. It includes plans for supportive services provided by Lutheran Social Services for residents at risk of homelessness. Government Operations Agency Secretary Nick Maduros emphasized that “a stable home and proximity to amenities will allow Monarch’s residents to thrive.”
The project received significant financial support from multiple sources, including $10 million from HCD’s Local Government Matching Grant program and $8 million from CADA, one of its developers. Additional contributions came from the City and County of Sacramento as well as the California Housing Finance Agency.
HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez highlighted that “projects like Monarch are helping to breathe new life into city centers.” The initiative aligns with broader efforts under Governor Newsom’s executive order to utilize underutilized sites for creating affordable homes near job centers and public transport.
Since its inception, the Excess Sites Program has facilitated numerous projects across California, providing thousands of homes in areas such as Sugar Pine Village in Tahoe and Mulberry Gardens Senior Apartments in Riverside.
