California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that 11 cities and counties, including Fresno and Stockton, have been designated as Prohousing communities.
This designation will grant them access to state support for housing production as part of an effort to address the ongoing housing crisis in the state.
The Prohousing designation enables Fresno, Stockton, and other participating communities to unlock additional funds and incentives for building housing. Among the benefits, they can now participate in the Prohousing Incentive Pilot Program and earn extra points in competitive funding programs.
In order to receive the Prohousing designation, Fresno and Stockton had to demonstrate their commitment to promoting climate-smart housing development. This includes streamlining multifamily housing developments, up-zoning in areas near jobs and transit, and creating more affordable homes in places lacking racial and economic diversity.
The Prohousing Designation Program was initially established in Newsom's 2019-2020 budget to support the state's ambitious housing goals of constructing 2.5 million new homes over the next eight years. Newsom praised the communities for their dedication to meeting the designation criteria and committing to building their fair share of housing.
The Prohousing designation is essential in addressing California's housing crisis by incentivizing cities to build more homes and streamlining the development process. As more cities and counties achieve this designation, the state hopes to alleviate the housing shortage and provide affordable, sustainable housing options for all Californians.