3 State-Owned Buildings To Be Converted To Affordable Housing, Here's Where

Three state-owned office buildings in Downtown Sacramento will be converted to serve as transitional affordable housing, aimed at helping the homeless and housing crisis. The three buildings that will be converted are the Employment Development Department Head Quarters at 800 Capitol Mall, the EDD Solar Building at 751 N Street, and the State Personnel Board Building at 801 Capitol Mall. These locations were selected for the proximity to public transportation or walk ability to resources Downtown. With many state and city workers still remotely working, the buildings they selected for the renovation have been left mostly vacant, providing an opportunity for more housing units, according to Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Stienberg and Assemblyman Kevin McCarty hosted a press conference outside of one of the projects Tuesday, saying the partnership with the state is spearheaded by Governor Gavin Newsom. The Mayor also noted this project is possible due to the continued work from home movement started by the pandemic. Sacramento Assembly Member Kevin McCarty wrote the bill which makes unused state-owned buildings available for affordable housing. He says the same thing could be done in cities up and down California where state-owned properties sit derelict. Around 20% of the buildings will be reserved for affordable prices and the other units will go for market prices. No timeline has been announced as to when the projects will be completed.