The Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program is a state-funded initiative designed to support projects that integrate land-use planning, affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, and agricultural land preservation with the overarching goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Funding for the AHSC Program is sourced from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), which is financed by proceeds from the state’s Cap-and-Trade auction system. This program is administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
AHSC provides financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, or a combination of both to eligible projects that align with sustainable development goals. A primary focus of the program is to ensure these investments benefit Disadvantaged and Low-Income Communities, with a strong emphasis on integrating low-carbon transportation options with affordable housing solutions. The aim is to foster healthier, climate-resilient communities while addressing social equity and housing affordability.
Eligible projects must fall into one of three designated project area types: Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Project Areas, Integrated Connectivity Project (ICP) Areas, or Rural Innovation Project Areas (RIPA). Each of these areas reflects a different approach to community development and transportation integration, accommodating urban, suburban, and rural contexts respectively.
In terms of funding allocation, the program mandates two key statutory set-asides: fifty percent of available funds are designated for Affordable Housing, which may include either Affordable Housing Developments, Housing-Related Infrastructure, or both; and the remaining fifty percent is reserved for projects that benefit Disadvantaged Communities. These set-asides are not mutually exclusive and a single project may qualify under both criteria.
The program provides a variety of resources including application guidelines, standard agreements, reporting and compliance documents, and loan closing forms. Applicants are encouraged to consult the official program documents for full regulatory guidance. Specific inquiries about the application process or standard agreements should be directed to AHSC@hcd.ca.gov, while questions related to loan closings can also be directed there, though a specific contact for loan closing is not listed.
The Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), detailed program guidelines, and submission portals are accessible via the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s website. Key dates such as the application opening and closing deadlines, as well as award notifications, are typically included in the NOFA but are not specified in the provided excerpt. Interested applicants should consult the full NOFA and related program documents for comprehensive timelines and submission requirements.
