The mission of the California Department of Housing and Community Development is to promote safe, affordable homes and strong vibrant communities across California. HCD helps to provide stable, safe homes affordable to veterans, seniors, young families, farm workers, tribes, people with disabilities, and individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
The National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) Program is designed to provide annual allocations to states for the purpose of increasing the affordable housing supply for extremely low-income households. With a budget of approximately $100 million, the program supports the acquisition, new construction, rehabilitation, and permanent financing of multifamily rental projects. A unique aspect of this program is its inclusivity of various entities such as organizations, agencies, Native American Entities, Public Housing Authorities, and both for-profit and nonprofit entities as eligible applicants. This initiative caters to a broad scope, extending its services to all jurisdictions in California, including Native American Lands. The program is distinguished by allocating a portion of its funds to serve very low-income households should the total national allocation exceed $1 billion and prioritizing projects serving individuals experiencing homelessness. It also features an Over-the-Counter application process for projects needing additional funding due to cost increases and has set funding targets for projects in Rural Areas and those developed by or in partnership with Native American Entities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to housing support across various communities in California.