State, philanthropic grants drive housing fund to more than $13 million
The San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) announced that its San Joaquin Regional Housing Fund Inc. has surpassed $13 million, following a $5 million grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and a $3 million grant from Health Net. The fund supports local efforts to increase the construction, preservation, and rehabilitation of affordable housing for low-income households throughout the region.
The HCD grant, announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office on Dec. 31, joins $5 million in matching local funds from Measure K Smart Growth incentives approved by the SJCOG Board of Directors and a $75,000 contribution from the San Joaquin Community Foundation.
“The regional housing fund and these grants give us leveraging power to get dollars into local housing projects faster and attract more public and private investment to the region,” Stockton Mayor and SJCOG Board Chair Christina Fugazi said. “By strengthening our partnerships with local jurisdictions, nonprofits, and developers, we can partner with our local agencies to make more affordable housing a reality across San Joaquin County.”
State grant part of $281 million statewide investment
The HCD award was part of $53.4 million in Local Housing Trust Fund grants distributed to 23 applicants across 18 counties. These awards to housing trusts and related programs totaled $281 million statewide.
“As promised, the Newsom Administration continues to address challenges head-on — paving the way toward meeting California’s housing goals, strengthening local communities, and ensuring our most vulnerable residents are housed and have access to the support and services they need,” Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Tomiquia Moss said.
Health Net investment links housing and health outcomes
Health Net selected the San Joaquin Regional Housing Fund Inc. for the grant to support ongoing efforts to shore up housing stability, health outcomes, and community well-being in San Joaquin County.
“One of the key drivers of health is housing and, more specifically, stable, affordable housing,” Health Net’s Senior Director and Northern California Medi-Cal Regional Lead Vernell Shaw III told the SJCOG Board at its December meeting. “We are excited about this partnership we have with San Joaquin Regional Housing Fund Inc., and we are equally as excited to have the opportunity to support this critical need in San Joaquin County.”
About San Joaquin Regional Housing Fund Inc.: San Joaquin Regional Housing Fund Inc. is a nonprofit agency approved by the San Joaquin Council of Governments Board of Directors to financially support local efforts in construction, preservation and rehabilitation of affordable housing for low-income families in San Joaquin County. A core objective is to attract philanthropic, private, and public investment to expand housing opportunities across the region. Visit the San Joaquin Regional Housing Fund Inc. web page for more information.
