Affordable housing grant programs

Federal, California state, and foundation funding programs for affordable housing development — 8 programs shown.

All sourcesFederalCalifornia StateFoundation / CDFI
All typesGrantLoanTax CreditBondIncentiveGrant + Loan
FederalLoan

Section 108 Loan Guarantee(Sec. 108)

HUD

Enables jurisdictions to borrow against future CDBG allocations for large economic development and housing projects.

Funding: Up to 5× a jurisdiction's annual CDBG allocation

Who can apply: CDBG entitlement communities and state grantees

FederalLoan

Section 515 Rural Rental Housing(Sec. 515)

USDA Rural Development

Direct low-interest loans for construction and rehabilitation of rental housing in rural communities for low-income households.

Funding: ~$50M national; 1% interest, 50-year terms

Who can apply: Private developers, nonprofits, public agencies in eligible rural areas

FederalLoan

Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing(Sec. 538)

USDA Rural Development

Federal loan guarantees enabling private lenders to finance new construction and rehab of multifamily housing in rural areas.

Funding: ~$400M national; guarantees up to 90% of eligible loan

Who can apply: For-profit and nonprofit developers in eligible rural areas; households up to 115% AMI

California StateLoan Closed

Multifamily Housing Program(MHP)

California HCD

State deferred-payment loan (3% simple interest) for new construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable rental housing.

Funding: $240M available (2026 NOFA); max $20M per project; 55-year deferred loans

Who can apply: Nonprofit and for-profit developers of multifamily rental housing for lower-income households

California StateLoan

California Housing Accelerator(CHA)

California HCD

Forgivable loans to jumpstart shovel-ready projects stuck in the financing gap. Projects must start construction within 180 days.

Funding: ~$1.6B total (ARPA-funded); 0% interest, no payments for 20 years

Who can apply: Multifamily affordable housing projects that already have an active HCD award but cannot access LIHTC or bonds

California StateLoan

No Place Like Home(NPLH)

California HCD

State bond loan program pairing affordable housing with mental health services for the state's most vulnerable homeless residents.

Funding: $2B total (Prop 2 bonds); up to $30M per county project

Who can apply: California counties (and their developer partners); permanent supportive housing for adults with serious mental illness who are homeless

California StateLoan

Transit-Oriented Development Program(TOD)

California HCD

State loans for affordable multifamily housing near transit, reducing car dependency and supporting climate goals.

Funding: Part of HCD Multifamily Finance Super NOFA pool

Who can apply: Affordable housing developers (nonprofit and for-profit) within a half-mile of transit stations

California StateLoan

CalHFA Multifamily Lending Programs(CalHFA)

California Housing Finance Agency

Tax-exempt and taxable permanent loans and construction financing for affordable housing serving individuals, families, seniors, and veterans.

Funding: $3B+ annual lending; competitive long-term permanent financing

Who can apply: Nonprofit and for-profit developers of affordable multifamily rental housing

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The funding calendar tracks application deadlines for TCAC, HCD, CDLAC, and other programs.

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