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Council backs application for AHSC grant to support Grand Gateway affordable housing and streetcar-related improvements
Summary
The council approved partnership and related actions to pursue an Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) grant for the Grand Gateway affordable housing project and streetcar/street improvements, authorizing the city to partner with the developer and SacRT on an application.
The West Sacramento City Council voted unanimously to approve a partnership arrangement and related authorizations for the Grand Gateway affordable housing project and select active‑transportation and transit improvements, allowing the developer to be lead applicant on a State Strategic Growth Council AHSC (Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities) grant application.
Why it matters: The AHSC program can fund a mix of affordable housing, transit and active‑transportation projects. Staff said the city will request roughly $25 million to support the affordable housing component of the Grand Gateway development, about $8.7 million to acquire streetcar vehicles, and additional funds for bike‑and‑pedestrian improvements close to the project site. The total request for the combined application was described in the staff presentation as approximately $40 million.
City staff explained that to be eligible the development team must lead the application and the city must enter a partnership agreement confirming the planned public‑realm improvements and the city’s role in implementing or delivering the work if the grant is awarded. Staff also said the application deadline is May 28 and that approval now allows the city and the developer to finalize application materials.
Council action: Councilmember Okala moved to approve the partnership agreement and related items; councilmember Early seconded. The roll call recorded four ayes and the motion passed.
Details from the staff presentation: The Grand Gateway project is proposed on city‑owned land and includes about 455 residential units, 114 of which are proposed as affordable units; ground‑floor retail, a hotel and structured parking were included in the conceptual package. The AHSC application would support the affordable housing gap, contribute toward light‑rail/streetcar vehicle acquisition for the extension, and fund bicycle and pedestrian improvements in the project area.
Staff noted the application is competitive and requires commitments from partners. If the grant is awarded, specific project scopes and funding agreements will be brought back to council for acceptance and for any local match or implementation commitments.
Next steps: The city will finalize and submit the AHSC application in partnership with the developer and Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT); if awarded, staff will return with grant acceptance documents and implementation plans.
