Current affordable housing projects in Sacramento • Sacramento News & Review

By Ken Magri

As the need for affordable rental housing continues, developers in the Sacramento area are working to complete new affordable housing projects throughout the city.

Less than half of all housing units in Sacramento are occupied by renters, and according to Apartments.com, the average rent price for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,511 per month. While that's slightly below the national rent average, it's still too high for people with extremely low incomes.

According to Sacramento County's 2024 Affordable Housing Needs Report, 83% of extremely low-income households pay more than half of their monthly income on rent, compared to 1% of middle-income households.

At the same time, Governor Gavin Newsom is working to clear homeless encampments, increasing the need for affordable housing since municipalities are no longer responsible for providing alternative housing to displaced residents following the U.S. Supreme Court's June decision. In the executive order issued in July, Governor Newsom emphasized the need to “use all available resources, including those provided by the state through historic investments in housing and intervention programs, to eliminate encampments in their jurisdictions.”

With the ongoing need for more housing for local residents, here are several upcoming, recently completed, or waitlisted affordable housing projects in the Sacramento area along with information on how to apply for each one.

On Broadway

To revitalize the Broadway corridor, a new two-building, 140-unit affordable housing complex called “On Broadway” is being built at the corner of 19th Street and Broadway. Built by the nonprofit EAH Housing, this five-story, gated-entrance complex will include ground-floor retail space, two residential community centers, outdoor courtyards, playgrounds, bike parking, and secured parking. The complex is also located near the Broadway light rail station.

Last March, a Level 3 fire damaged the project's structure. In May, the original scaffolding was removed and construction resumed, with completion scheduled for 2025.

According to EAH Housing's website, “the units are available to residents earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income.” Thirty-seven units (26%) are designated for permanent supported housing for at-risk individuals with mental illness.

EAH Housing has a portal on its website where applicants can view EAH's affordable housing projects across the state and apply for residency. Applications can be requested through the Contact Us page on the same website.

The Heights on Stockton Boulevard

Walnut Creek-based Next Phase Construction is in the final stages of building a 200-unit affordable housing project in partnership with Mercy Housing California at 4995 Stockton Blvd. Twenty-three buildings ranging from two to four stories will house one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. One of these buildings is completed and leased, and the rest are scheduled to open in the coming months.

Each apartment has heating and air conditioning, a built-in refrigerator, a microwave,

traditional oven and a combined shower/bath.

Amenities at this smoke-free and pet-free community include on-site parking with electric vehicle charging stations, a community center with kitchen, patio, laundry room, two outdoor playgrounds, and resident services. Shopping, schools, and a library are just a short walk from this garden-style complex.

Interested parties can apply for a place to live on the Mercy Housing website.

West Gateway Place Phase II

The second phase of West Gateway Place in West Sacramento's Bridge District will include 60 one- to three-bedroom apartments. The development is designed for households earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income (AMI). Six units are designated for at-risk families or families already experiencing homelessness and mental illness who earn 20% of AMI.

West Gateway Place II is close to public transportation and within walking distance to several outdoor recreation areas, including Sutter Health Park, River Walk Park and Mill Street Pier. A secured outdoor playground complements the building's ground floor, which includes a common room with kitchen, laundry room, youth lounge, fitness room and a resident services area.

West Gateway is being built by the West Sacramento Housing Development Corporation and Jamboree Housing Corporation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to affordable housing. The project is scheduled for completion this winter. Application forms can be downloaded from the West Gateway website.

Sunrise Pointe

The first affordable housing project approved in Citrus Heights in 20 years is Sunrise Pointe Housing, located at 7424 Sunrise Blvd., north of Oak Avenue. Built on a former Christmas tree lot, this 47-unit apartment complex has all units available to income-eligible individuals.

A partnership between Jamboree Housing Corporation and the nonprofit Hope Cooperative, the site will include an outdoor picnic area with tables, a playground, a washhouse and an after-school program. Community services such as job training and homemaking will be provided on-site by Hope Cooperative and HeartLand Child & Family Services.

Sunrise Pointe is also pet-friendly and close to public transportation. A live-in property manager oversees the complex and is available to residents while ensuring they follow occupancy rules.

According to Jamboree Housing, these units are “designed to serve a diverse mix of families, individuals with mental health issues and people who have recently become homeless. They particularly target people earning between 25% and 45% of the area median income.”

For specific participation guidelines and leasing information, visit Jamboree Housing’s Sunrise Pointe website or call (916) 561-0323, extension 4088.

The Huddle on 5

Built by Brinshore Development in partnership with nonprofit housing organization Raise the Barr, this unique 18-unit residential site at 221 5th St. in West Sacramento is designed for single parents pursuing higher education.

The space-saving facility consists of three interconnected complexes of six that occupy a single lot with parking in front. According to the Raise the Barr website, The Huddle on 5th project “places a strong emphasis on peer-to-peer support, mental health and well-being, healthy relationships, job training, career development and financial independence.”

“It's a pretty cool niche and the first of its kind in the region,” said Aaron Laurel, city manager of West Sacramento. Huddle on 5th is scheduled to open its doors in late 2024. Those interested in evaluating eligibility and applying can visit Raise the Barr's website.

Sonrisa

Sonrisa, 1322 O St., is a mixed-use building with 58 micro-apartments of 267 square feet each, combined with 1,300 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor. With the exception of a manager's apartment, all apartments are affordable to those earning 40-60% of AMI.

Developed by the Capitol Area Development Authority (CADA) and CFY Development Inc., this five-story building was among the first projects approved under the Governor's 2019 executive order that prioritized development of surplus land on state-owned lands.

Completed in April 2023, Sonrisa's amenities include a built-in sofa/murphy bed, central heat and air conditioning, high ceilings with fans, blinds, an electric stove, microwave and refrigerator. There is a communal kitchen, study, resident lounge, top-floor terrace and lobby with on-site management. Using sustainable materials and a 100% electric utility, developers worked to qualify Sonrisa for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District's Smart Homes program, which reduces the need for fossil fuels.

Due to the limited square footage, Sonrisa apartments are limited to two people. For more information and to apply, visit the Sonrisa website.

Who else can help with finding affordable housing?

For those actively seeking available housing, the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) provides free information in multiple languages. Applications can be submitted to SHRA using any device with internet access and an email address at sacwaitlist.com/home.

The SHRA can also be reached by phone at (916) 440-1390. Those who are hard of hearing can dial TTY 711. Those who wish to submit a written application can contact the SHRA at 630 I St., Sacramento, 95814. Write “Attn: Application Forms Required” on the envelope.

In addition, CADA regularly publishes apartment advertisements, which can be accessed on its website.

Sacramento County residents at risk of homelessness can also call 211 or (916) 498-1000 for information about housing options and homeless services. Those who are hard of hearing can call 711 and ask to be connected to 211.

This story is part of the Solve Sacramento Journalism collaboration. Solving Sacramento is supported by funding from the James Irvine Foundation and the James B. McClatchy Foundation. Our partners include California Groundbreakers, Capital Public Radio, Outword, Russian America Media, Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento News & Review, Sacramento Observer and Univision 19.