Walnut Creek council approves consent calendar, awards $2 million in affordable-housing grants

The Walnut Creek City Council unanimously approved the consent calendar and separately authorized two $1 million awards to affordable-housing developers at its May 20, 2025 meeting.

The council voted 5–0 to approve the consent calendar items 2A–2D and 2F, then later approved item 2E, which awards $1,000,000 to Habitat for Humanity for Esperanza Place Phase 2 and conditionally awards $1,000,000 to Resources for Community Development (RCD) for Civic Crossing (formerly 699 YVR).

Council members and staff described the change this year from a rolling application process to a single annual request for proposals (RFP). Jennifer Amas, Housing Analyst in the Community Development Department, told the council the city issued its first annual RFP in November 2024, received three proposals, and is recommending funding two of them. She said Esperanza Place Phase 2 is an ownership project that would provide 19 low- and moderate-income homes and Civic Crossing is a rental project proposed to deliver 93 affordable units.

Why it matters: council members pressed staff about the source of the funds and the broader fiscal context. The awards will be paid from two local fee sources — the affordable housing in‑lieu fee and the commercial linkage fee (identified in the city finance system as funds 173 and 175). Staff said the city has averaged about $500,000 per year in affordable-housing fees over the last three years and that after the $2 million in awards the remaining balance in the affordable housing fund will be about $2,000,000.

State budget risk: the council also discussed potential state funding cuts. Jennifer Amas said RCD’s project has already secured state funding through No Place Like Home and the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) grant programs and therefore is not expected to be affected. Habitat for Humanity is pursuing a CalHome grant and continues to advocate for restoration of that program in the state budget, she said.

Votes at a glance - Consent calendar (Items 2A–2D, 2F): Motion to approve; outcome: approved unanimously (Ayes: Councilmembers Silva, Francois, Deveney; Mayor Pro Tem Wilk; Mayor Darling). The motion was moved and seconded on the record and approved by roll call. - Item 2E — Affordable housing awards: Motion to award $1,000,000 to Habitat for Humanity for Esperanza Place Phase 2 and conditionally award $1,000,000 to Resources for Community Development for Civic Crossing; outcome: approved unanimously (Ayes: Silva, Francois, Deveney, Wilk, Darling). The award to RCD is conditional on the project meeting its financing contingencies.

What council asked staff to track: staff confirmed the award sources (in‑lieu and linkage fees), described the new annual RFP process, and said they will continue monitoring state funding as the governor’s May budget revision and legislative negotiations proceed. Councilmember Francois asked staff to report regular annual totals for affordable-housing fees; staff said the recent three‑year average is about $500,000 per year.

Next steps: staff will finalize the agreements and return for any necessary contract or administrative approvals required to disburse the funds; the conditional award to RCD remains contingent on the project meeting secured financing and grant conditions.