Top 20 Housing Grants in California (2025)

Posted on Author Bells Hardingstone

California faces one of the most pressing housing crises in the United States, and addressing this challenge requires substantial funding commitments. The largest housing grants in California play a crucial role in financing affordable housing development, homelessness prevention, and community revitalization. These grants are spread across both urban and rural areas, ensuring that diverse populations have access to safe and stable homes. By funding infrastructure, supportive housing, and specialized housing programs, these initiatives stand as the backbone of California’s housing strategy.

Top 20 Housing Grants in California

1. Multifamily Housing Program – Statewide

The Multifamily Housing Program stands as one of the largest housing grants in California, delivering hundreds of millions for affordable rental housing. It supports both nonprofit and for-profit developers in constructing and rehabilitating housing complexes. With strong reach in counties such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento, it tackles long-standing shortages. Its flexibility, scale, and ability to serve low-income families position it among the top funding streams for housing in California, making it a vital program.

2. Farmworker Housing Grant Program – Statewide

The Farmworker Housing Grant Program is recognized as one of the largest housing grants in California, designed specifically for farmworker families. With allocations exceeding 120 million, it benefits agricultural regions such as Fresno, Tulare, and Kern counties. This grant is vital for addressing housing shortages in rural communities where farmworkers face limited housing options. Its scale, impact, and dedication to an underserved population ensure its ranking as a top program for providing stable and affordable homes statewide.

3. Infill Infrastructure Grant Program – Urban Areas

The Infill Infrastructure Grant Program is considered one of the largest housing grants in California, providing millions for critical infrastructure to enable housing development. It is most impactful in cities such as Los Angeles, Oakland, and San Francisco where infrastructure gaps delay affordable housing construction. By funding streets, sewers, and utilities, the program makes new housing projects possible. Its high dollar amounts and focus on urban infill locations rank it as a top housing grant in the state.

4. Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program – Statewide

The Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program is one of the largest housing grants in California, dedicating millions to create homes for veterans and their families. Locations such as San Diego, Los Angeles, and Sacramento benefit from the program, which combines housing with wraparound support services. By directly targeting veteran homelessness, the program delivers both housing security and dignity. Its targeted scope and strong statewide presence make it one of California’s most significant housing initiatives.

5. Project Homekey – Statewide

Project Homekey has become one of the largest housing grants in California, transforming vacant hotels and motels into long-term supportive housing. Major cities like San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles have received large allocations. With billions invested, the program rapidly increases housing supply and addresses homelessness on a massive scale. Its speed, innovation, and focus on turning unused buildings into homes make it a top housing program, ensuring thousands of residents find stability in California.

6. Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program – Statewide

The Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program is one of the largest housing grants in California, funding housing tied to sustainable transit systems. Cities like Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego are key beneficiaries. The program reduces emissions while expanding affordable housing, making it unique compared to traditional funding streams. With hundreds of millions awarded, it is considered one of the top grants because it balances environmental priorities with housing needs, providing wide-ranging benefits for California residents.

See also  Top 10 Largest Gas Stations in California (2025)

7. Federal Home Loan Bank San Francisco Affordable Housing Grants – California

The Federal Home Loan Bank San Francisco provides one of the largest housing grants in California, awarding nearly 50 million to affordable housing developers. Funds are distributed to organizations in Oakland, Fresno, and Los Angeles. This grant program is important because it demonstrates strong private-sector investment in housing solutions. Its large dollar amounts and geographic reach elevate it among the top housing grants in California, showing that both public and private commitments are necessary for long-term success.

8. Proposition 1 Housing Bond Program – Statewide

Proposition 1, approved by voters, represents one of the largest housing grants in California, distributing billions in bond funding for affordable housing. Communities in Alameda, Riverside, and San Diego counties benefit directly. With a focus on veterans, farmworkers, and supportive housing, it ensures diverse groups are supported. Its voter-approved structure gives it long-term reliability. The program is considered one of the top housing grants in California because of its statewide impact and the magnitude of financial support provided.

9. California Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program – Statewide

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program is one of the largest housing grants in California, acting as a subsidy worth hundreds of millions. Developers in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Francisco counties rely on this program to finance affordable rental housing. By incentivizing long-term affordability, it plays a crucial role in sustaining low-income housing projects. Its significant financial reach and proven track record ensure it is consistently ranked among California’s top programs for creating affordable housing opportunities.

10. Measure KK Bond and Housing Funds – Oakland

Measure KK in Oakland is one of the largest housing grants in California at the local level, with 600 million in bond funding. This measure provides resources for building and rehabilitating affordable housing in Oakland neighborhoods. Its scale makes it highly influential within the Bay Area. Ranked among the top because of its large voter-approved commitment, it demonstrates how local governments can contribute meaningfully to housing development alongside state and federal resources.

11. Housing for a Healthy California Program – Statewide

The Housing for a Healthy California Program is one of the largest housing grants in California, targeting chronically homeless residents with supportive housing connected to healthcare. Counties such as Alameda, Los Angeles, and San Diego have received funds to address housing and health together. Its dual focus on housing and medical stability makes it especially impactful. By reducing homelessness and improving public health, the program ranks as one of California’s top funding streams for vulnerable populations.

12. National Housing Trust Fund Allocations – California

California consistently receives large allocations from the National Housing Trust Fund, often surpassing 40 million annually. This program is considered one of the largest housing grants in California because it exclusively supports extremely low-income residents. Funds are used in locations like Fresno, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties. Its federal backing makes it reliable, while its targeted focus ensures the state’s poorest households receive support. Its scale and national support secure its place among the top housing grants.

See also  Top 20 Largest Wildfires in California (2025)

13. Section 811 Project Rental Assistance – California

The Section 811 Project Rental Assistance program is one of the largest housing grants in California, focused on low-income residents with disabilities. It provides millions annually for housing development in Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego. The program ensures individuals with disabilities can live independently while having access to supportive services. Its significance lies in creating inclusive housing opportunities. This targeted yet large-scale assistance ranks it among the top programs in California’s affordable housing landscape.

14. Community Development Block Grants – California

The Community Development Block Grant program is one of the largest housing grants in California, with millions distributed each year to counties and cities. Areas such as Bakersfield, Stockton, and Fresno benefit from funds for housing rehabilitation, down payment assistance, and neighborhood revitalization. Its flexibility across different uses makes it one of the most trusted funding sources. With a consistent flow of resources and wide reach, the program is a key part of California’s housing development efforts.

15. No Place Like Home Program – Statewide

The No Place Like Home Program is among the largest housing grants in California, designed to create permanent supportive housing for individuals with serious mental illness. Counties like Riverside, Los Angeles, and Orange benefit heavily. The program’s focus on blending housing with mental health services makes it unique. By addressing two challenges simultaneously, it ensures lasting stability for vulnerable populations. Its wide funding and statewide scope place it among the most impactful housing grants in California.

16. State Housing Trust Fund – California

The State Housing Trust Fund is one of the largest housing grants in California, combining state dollars with local and private contributions to fund affordable housing. Cities such as Sacramento, San Francisco, and Los Angeles rely on it for both rental and ownership opportunities. Its ability to pool multiple funding sources maximizes its effectiveness. The program is ranked highly because it strengthens California’s housing system at multiple levels, serving as a reliable resource for communities across the state.

17. Regional Housing Needs Allocation Support Grants – California

The Regional Housing Needs Allocation Support Grants are considered one of the largest housing grants in California, helping local governments meet state housing targets. Counties like Alameda, San Diego, and Santa Clara rely on this program to boost planning and production. It is ranked among the top because it directly supports California’s strategy to overcome the housing shortage. With millions allocated for capacity building and housing delivery, RHNA grants are crucial for achieving sustainable growth in the state.

18. Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program – Statewide

The Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program is one of the largest housing grants in California, distributing hundreds of millions to cities and counties. Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco are major recipients. The program funds permanent supportive housing, shelters, and services to reduce homelessness. It is considered one of the top because it provides flexible resources that communities urgently need to address homelessness. Its large scale and wide reach make it a vital statewide program.

See also  Top 10 Largest BMW Dealers in California (2025)

19. Continuum of Care Program Grants – California

Continuum of Care grants are recognized as some of the largest housing grants in California, funding coordinated homeless services and housing programs across the state. Cities such as Sacramento, Fresno, and Los Angeles receive millions annually. The program emphasizes collaboration between governments, nonprofits, and housing agencies. It is ranked among the top because it creates strong partnerships that improve outcomes for homeless residents. Its size and focus on cooperation place it among California’s leading housing resources.

20. Emergency Solutions Grants – California

The Emergency Solutions Grant Program is one of the largest housing grants in California, designed to prevent homelessness and provide emergency shelter. Communities including Oakland, Los Angeles, and San Diego depend on this funding. It supports rapid rehousing, street outreach, and homelessness prevention services. Its value lies in immediate response, ensuring vulnerable residents have safe housing quickly. Ranked among the top because of its speed and impact, ESG plays a critical role in California’s housing safety net.

Reasons Why They Are The Housing Grants in California

  • They distribute hundreds of millions of dollars in funding each year across the state.
  • They target multiple populations, including veterans, farmworkers, families, and individuals with disabilities.
  • They cover both urban centers such as Los Angeles and rural areas like the Central Valley.
  • They combine housing with services such as healthcare and mental health support.
  • They fund infrastructure improvements that make housing projects possible.
  • They have long-term commitments, ensuring ongoing housing stability.
  • They include both state and federal resources, expanding their scale.
  • They are supported by voter-approved bonds and private-sector investments.

Reasons Why You Should Visit These Housing Grants in California

  • Visiting allows you to see firsthand how affordable housing projects are developed.
  • You gain insights into how these grants are changing lives in different communities.
  • It helps you understand how infrastructure and housing projects connect.
  • You can learn from successful housing models that may inspire similar efforts elsewhere.
  • You experience the impact of supportive services linked with housing.
  • Visiting provides opportunities to connect with organizations driving real change.
  • You witness the transformation of underutilized properties into safe, livable homes.

Conclusion

The largest housing grants in California are central to tackling the state’s housing shortage and homelessness crisis. They are powerful tools that create affordable homes, support vulnerable populations, and strengthen entire communities. By combining local, state, federal, and private resources, these grants provide sustainable solutions that benefit millions of Californians. Exploring and understanding these programs shows the scale of investment required to address housing challenges and highlights the innovative approaches California has adopted to provide housing stability for its residents.