Governor Gavin Newsome | Twitter Website
Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) have announced awards of $118.9 million in federal funding aimed at increasing affordable housing and supportive services in 29 rural and tribal communities across California. The funding is distributed through various federally funded programs to address homelessness.
According to Governor Newsom, "Our nation’s housing crisis doesn’t end at city limits, and we must ensure housing and services are available to all members of our communities. We are grateful for this additional federal funding to ensure that our rural and tribal communities receive the housing support they need and deserve."
The funding stems from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, which allocated $5 billion nationwide to reduce homelessness. California received $512 million directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). An additional $155 million was provided to HCD for the HOME Investments Partnerships American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) programs targeting non-entitlement jurisdictions such as rural communities.
Tomiquia Moss, Business, Consumer Services and Housing Secretary, expressed the significance of these efforts: “Housing affordability and homelessness affect all areas, not just our large, metro areas. The state works diligently to provide and channel funding to all counties, to provide local providers the support needed to ensure programs in their communities deliver real results. This funding does just that and I pledge our continued support for local governments in their work to lessen and eliminate homelessness and create more affordable housing.”
The HOME-ARP Rental Housing (RH) program has allocated $89 million to ten projects, including significant contributions to tribal entities such as the Yurok Indian Housing Authority and Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians. The tribes received a combined $18.7 million to fund 31 units for housing. These efforts are part of broader initiatives addressing the homelessness crisis and improving housing stability for California residents.
HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez emphasized the impact: “By providing much-needed resources to rural and tribal communities, these awards help address our homelessness crisis and meet the critical needs of these residents. Federal support ensures the state continues its stride toward providing housing stability and affordability for all.”
HCD's efforts will help finance 487 affordable rental homes, including 184 units specifically funded for low-income households. Additional resources are allocated to the HOME-ARP Housing Plus Support Program (HPSP), which received $26.4 million to aid those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
For further information, individuals are encouraged to visit the California Housing and Community Development's website.
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