Governor Gavin Newsom, in conjunction with the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), has announced a hefty sum of $118.9 million in federal funding aimed at bolstering affordable housing and supportive services in California's less populous areas, residents of which are often sidelined in the broader narrative of the state's housing crisis. As detailed on the state government website, this announcement ushers in hope for 29 rural and tribal communities across the state.
The windfall, sourced from the American Rescue Plan Act funds, will facilitate the creation of 487 affordable rental homes and bolster emergency shelters, alongside rapid rehousing, homelessness outreach efforts, and supportive services crucial to helping low-income Californians find and keep stable housing, however, the funding arrives at a critical moment when the state grapples with staggering homelessness rates and the ever-widening fissures of income inequality.
“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," Newsom said, "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 sentiment echoes a broader commitment to addressing a problem that is not only ensconced within the urban sprawl but also casts long shadows across the rural landscapes of California.
The HCD's HOME-ARP Rental Housing (RH) program, an integral piece of this initiative, specifics ten awards totaling $89 million, which includes two awards to Tribal Entities—The Yurok Indian Housing Authority and Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians are beneficiaries of a combined $18.7 million to fund 31 HOME-ARP assisted units, these awards are a testament to the state's efforts in reaching communities that often remain disparate dots on the map, disconnected from the resources abundantly allocated to urban centers.
Tomiquia Moss, the Secretary for Business, Consumer Services, and Housing, emphasized the state’s diligence in spreading assistance throughout California. “Housing affordability and homelessness affect all areas, not just our large, metro areas,” she told the state government website interview. With an additional $26.4 million from the HOME-ARP Housing Plus Support Program (HPSP), the funding will not only address those currently without homes but will extend its reach to preemptively support households teetering on the brink of homelessness.
For more information about the awards and the impacted counties, such as Del Norte, El Dorado, Kings, Lake, Madera, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, and Placer, one can visit the HCD website.
