DGS and HCD identified and prioritized excess state properties and then determined which sites would be potentially suitable for affordable housing development. The resulting GIS-enabled map is searchable, fully interactive, shows each site identified in the inventory and includes a “heat map” overlay indicating where housing is most needed in California.
The League of California Cities Second Vice President John Dunbar, mayor, Yountville
testified during a Senate Governmental Organization committee hearing on the Governor’s executive order stating, “By removing what is typically the most expensive element of housing projects – land cost – the State acknowledges it can facilitate immediate and substantial progress that will result in more housing units being built.”
In September 2019, DGS, in consultation with HCD, will begin issuing Requests for Proposals to begin developing affordable housing at selected sites. Developing entities would receive a long-term ground lease from the state and would build, own and manage the housing they develop, subject to oversight from the state.
Carolyn Coleman, League executive director, applauded the Governor’s partnership with cities to build housing on state surplus property in a
statement last spring. “Addressing California’s housing crisis is a shared responsibility. We’re pleased that the Administration continues to look for ways to collaborate with cities to increase supply of housing available for working class families.”