Governor Gavin Newsome | Facebook Website
Governor Gavin Newsom has announced an expansion of California's program to develop affordable housing on underutilized state land. The initiative includes a new web portal designed to streamline the bidding process for developers, aiming to expedite the leasing of state land for housing projects.
"California is doing everything we can to give all Californians access to affordable housing as quickly as possible," stated Governor Newsom. "Today we continue to advance our strategy of transforming underutilized state properties into thriving affordable living communities for Californians."
The revamped Excess Sites Program, launched by the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), is noted as the first nationwide initiative releasing all identified state land suitable for affordable housing development.
This move aligns with Governor Newsom's 2019 executive order that directed HCD and DGS to prioritize excess state-owned property for such developments. Since then, nearly 4,300 housing units across 32 projects have been assembled in various stages of development. The newly released sites are estimated to support at least 2,000 additional homes.
Government Operations Agency Secretary Amy Tong emphasized the role of technology in accelerating affordable housing construction: “We’re harnessing technology and innovation to help accelerate the rate of affordable housing construction in the Golden State.”
Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Tomiquia Moss highlighted the program's focus on infill development: “California is committed to continuing to invest in programs that encourage infill development, transforming existing buildings into homes for future generations of Californians.”
Developers can now review all available sites on a State Excess Sites map simultaneously and submit proposals until an awardable submission is received. DGS Director Ana M. Lasso remarked on these improvements: “Today, we are taking significant steps to enhance the management of state-owned land.”
HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez added: “The Governor’s vision to develop state land for affordable housing—particularly in high-resource areas connecting low-income Californians to heightened opportunity—continues to strengthen communities.”
Recent projects include a 58-unit community in Sacramento with commercial space; Guardian Village in Fresno County with 48 units; and Sugar Pine Village in South Lake Tahoe which opened 68 units last year and will expand into a 248-unit community.
For more information about the State Excess Sites map or submission process details, interested parties are encouraged to visit Executive Order N-06-19 Affordable Housing Development or register for a webinar hosted by HCD and DGS.
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