CALIFORNIA — Governor Gavin Newsom announced on December 8 a new initiative that will provide homes for 1,275 lower-income households.
The announcement is part of the state’s larger effort to address California’s ongoing housing affordability challenges.
The plan delivers roughly $181.1 million in grant funding aimed at revitalizing communities and expanding homeownership opportunities for lower-income families — including agricultural workers and their households.
“Homeownership is one of the greatest tools for creating generational financial security, and one that is increasingly difficult to attain,” said California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency secretary Tomiquia Moss.
Programs have helped 4,074 with homeownership
The CalHOME and Joe Serna Jr. Farmworker Housing awards will support 74 projects in 22 counties, benefiting 1,172 households, with six Serna projects assisting another 103 farmworker families.
Since its launch in 2019, the Homeownership Super NOFA (HOSN) program has awarded $447.57 million to help 4,074 households in 40 counties attain or maintain homeownership.
In two years, the Serna program has extended homeownership opportunities to 192 farmworker families.
Grants are available to nonprofits, local governments and tribal entities
Under this HOSN round, both CalHOME and Serna funded first-time homebuyer mortgage assistance. Serna also funded programs for the purchase of manufactured homes.
CalHOME funded homeownership development loans, owner-occupied repair assistance, self-help housing technical assistance, shared-housing programs, accessory dwelling unit initiatives, and the purchase of manufactured homes.
Both CalHOME and Serna grants are available to nonprofits, local governments, and tribal entities. LLCs and limited partnerships are also eligible for Serna homeownership awards.
For more information about the Homeownership Super NOFA and the CalHOME and Serna awards visit https://www.hcd.ca.gov/grants-and-funding/programs-active/homeownership-super-nofa
