SACRAMENTO – On Apr 19 , Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that the cities of Berkeley, Brea, Crescent City, Fairfield, Pinole, Rancho Cucamonga, Richmond, South Lake Tahoe and West Hollywood, as well as the County of Los Angeles, have earned the state’s Prohousing Designation for their efforts to encourage development of housing at all income levels. This designation comes with funding incentives and additional resources to help speed housing production. Today’s announcement brings the total number of California communities designated as prohousing to 47.

To meet the housing needs of all Californians, the state must plan for 2.5 million new homes by 2030, with at least one million serving the needs of lower income residents. This critical goal can only be reached if local governments actively work to implement state housing laws and follow best practices that go above and beyond the minimum requirements.

 “At nearly fifty prohousing communities, California is making progress – but we can do better. At a time when the state is facing a housing crisis, every local jurisdiction should be stepping up to earn this distinction,” said Governor Gavin Newsom

The Prohousing Designation Program is part of a package of incentives and accountability measures established by the 2019-20 Budget Act. By earning the Prohousing Designation, communities receive exclusive access to prohousing grants and additional points in the scoring of competitive housing, community development, and infrastructure funding programs administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

California offers incentives and support to encourage communities to find creative solutions that break down barriers to much-needed housing, such as accelerated production, equitable zoning, sustainable land use, reduced development costs, and financial subsidies.

The 47 prohousing communities have shown a commitment to working proactively to minimize obstacles, accelerate housing, increase availability of affordable housing, and combat homelessness – bettering the quality of life for all Californians.