Loans, Credit Support and Grants       

California Center for Land Recycling (CCLR) and the California Environmental Redevelopment Fund (CERF) offer funding for brownfield site assessments. Created by the Office of the State Treasurer, this new program provides low-interest, forgivable loans of up to $125,000 for brownfield site assessment and characterization, technical assistance, and remedial action planning. CERF and CCLR have been awarded the statewide contract to administer the program, known as the California Recycle Underutilized Sites (Cal ReUSE). Eligible projects include sites with potential beneficial reuse not currently redeveloped due to lack of information about real or perceived contamination, uncertainty about clean-up costs, or concerns regarding timeframes and the regulatory process. Priority will be given to projects located in distressed neighborhoods with demonstrated community support.


California Community Reinvestment Corporation is a nonprofit multi-bank lending consortium founded in 1989 to respond to the statewide shortage of affordable housing. CCRC has provided over $200 million in mortgages to developers of housing servicing low income families and seniors throughout the state. CCRC provides both long-term mortgage and bond financing for new construction, acquisition and rehabilitation as well as direct equity investment funds to acquire housing at risk of going to market rate rents. These programs are available for family and senior housing, mixed use projects and special needs housing throughout California.


California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) administers more than 20 programs awarding loans and grants to local public agencies, private nonprofit and for-profit housing developers, and service providers. HCD also provides a clearinghouse for affordable housing and community finance resources.


California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) supports the needs of renters and first-time homebuyers by providing financing and programs that create safe, decent and affordable housing opportunities for individuals within specified income ranges. As the State's affordable housing bank, CalHFA makes below market-rate loans through the sale of tax-exempt bonds. A completely self-supporting State agency, bonds are repaid by revenues generated through mortgage loans.


California HCD Clearinghouse for Affordable Housing and Community Finance Resources


California Integrated Waste Management Board's Sustainable Building Program periodically offerings grant opportunities to assist in the advancement and use of green building design and construction practices and techniques in California. All cities, counties, local government and state agencies, in California, are eligible to apply for funding. Check periodically for information about the next round of grant solicitations.


California Reinvestment Committee is a coalition of over 200 nonprofit and public agencies that advocates for increased access to credit on behalf of California's low-income communities.


California Tax Credit Allocation Committee


Enterprise Foundation works with partners to provide low-income people with affordable housing, safer streets and access to jobs and child care. The Foundation is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1982 by Jim and Patty Rouse.


The Enterprise Social Investment Corporation (ESIC) is a subsidiary of The Enterprise Foundation and works with partners to finance, develop and acquire affordable housing and other community development initiatives in underserved neighborhoods across the country.


EPA's Environmental Economics page lists various grants and financial assistance programs


Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco helps meet the borrowing needs of communities by providing wholesale credit products and services to member financial institutions.


Get Grants - California Government This website will allow you to identify grant sources within State agencies and departments.


Home Depot's Grant Program has granted millions of dollars to support a variety of environmentally focused, non-profit organizations throughout communities in the United States, Canada, Chile and soon Argentina. Affordable housing is among Home Depot's funding priorities.


Local Initiatives Support Corporation's (LISC) Funding Sources for Affordable Housing


The McAdams Group was established to support the development of Green Building by providing fundraising resources. They offer informational toolkits and workshops


Novogradac & Company LLC lists numerous subsidy programs such as grants, loans, and soft financing, such as the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence.


Oakland affordable housing grants and loans


Partnership for Advanced Technology in Housing Funding Sources for Affordable Housing


Proposition 46 Overview of funding criteria for California affordable housing


Smart Communities Network has a listing of national funding opportunities for various activities.