California Moves Ahead with Six New Affordable Housing Projects on State-Owned Land

California is taking another step toward expanding its affordable housing supply, announcing six new developments that will be built on unused state land. The initiative, revealed by Governor Gavin Newsom in November, will add at least 843 new homes across the state, a boost for families facing high housing costs and limited options.

In recent years, California has increasingly focused on converting underused state-owned land into affordable housing. This effort was accelerated by Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2019 executive order, which directed state agencies to identify available public land that could support new housing near job centers, transit, and key services. The goal is to deliver long-term solutions to the state’s housing shortage by shifting dormant public properties into active community assets. For example, one of the most significant projects to emerge from Gov. Newsom’s 2019 executive order is the Mulberry Gardens development in Riverside. Built on a former CAL FIRE property, the project is being delivered in two phases: Phase I includes 59 affordable units for low-income seniors, while Phase II expands the site with 150 additional family units. The new homes will range from one to three bedrooms and include community amenities such as a computer lab, fitness facilities, a playground, and shared gathering spaces.

This development reflects a strong public-private partnership, supported by 37 project-based Section 8 vouchers, about $4.5 million in local funding, $44.8 million in state investment, and $2 million from private sources. Eden Housing is leading the development, which is strategically located less than a mile from downtown Riverside and close to transit and essential services, making it one of the most impactful examples of California’s state-land housing strategy

Moving forward, this initiative that was revealed by Governor Gavin Newson in November, is also part of a broader strategy that began earlier this year, when the state introduced a faster process for converting “excess” state-owned property into housing. Under this approach, developers can move from application to approval in less than five months, allowing new units to begin construction sooner.

State officials emphasized that using existing state land helps reduce delays, lower development costs, and accelerate the delivery of affordable homes in communities that need them. Looking ahead, California is preparing six additional affordable housing developments to be built on state-owned property which include, Atascadero, Napa, Fontana, San Bernardino, and two locations in Stockton. Most of the units will be reserved for low-income families, with a handful offered at market rate. Together, these projects will add more than 843 new homes across the state, reinforcing the state’s long-term strategy to expand housing supply through public land conversions. Like Mulberry Gardens, these new developments will rely on a combination of state funding, local support, and private investment, ensuring affordability and strong community impact

California agencies involved in the program described it as a coordinated, whole-government effort designed to produce housing at scale. They highlighted recent successes including new communities in Sacramento, Fresno County, and South Lake Tahoe as proof that the state’s approach is starting to make an impact.

These efforts also tie into California’s larger push to address homelessness, expand mental health support, and modernize housing policy. While homelessness increased nationally last year, California saw only a small rise and made notable progress in reducing veteran and youth homelessness.

By continuing to prioritize affordable housing and streamline development, state leaders say they hope to give more families the stability they need while easing pressure on one of the country’s most strained housing markets.