Habitat for Humanity outlines 26‑home Sayonara Drive development; Phase 3 applications open Feb. 1

Leah Miller, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento, told the Citrus Heights City Council on Jan. 14 that the Sayonara Drive project is a 26‑home affordable homeownership development with an overall cost of approximately $8.5 million and an average per‑unit cost near $320,000. Miller said vertical construction began last year and the full community is scheduled for completion in October 2027.

"This is a 26 home development that provides affordable homeownership opportunities for first‑time home buyers," Miller said. She described the homes as all‑electric, EV‑ready and equipped with rooftop solar and battery storage through a partnership with SMUD.

Miller and Allison Bermudez from the Community Development Department described the project in three phases. Phase 1 includes the first eight homes, with above‑ground construction that started in August and an expected completion of those homes in May 2026; the homes are anticipated to be listed for sale in June 2026. Phase 2 comprises four homes with a targeted completion in October 2026. Phase 3 opens for applications Feb. 1 through March 30, 2026, with construction beginning in November 2026 and a projected completion in October 2027.

The presentation included outreach and eligibility details: Habitat reported distributing 21,000 flyers to San Juan Unified School District households, postcard outreach to roughly 26,000 renter‑occupied residences, more than 500 orientation attendees for phases 1 and 2, media and social outreach and targeted outreach to over 300 local businesses and nonprofits. Miller said orientation sessions for Phase 3 will be held in person on Jan. 26 (6 p.m.) and Jan. 30 (6 p.m.) with virtual options available.

The program requires "sweat equity" from selected family partners. Miller described the requirement as a 500‑hour participation expectation for family partners, with each family contributing labor alongside volunteers; Habitat reported total family partner hours of about 13,000 across the development. Miller also said volunteers have contributed substantial labor: more than 6,000 volunteers and roughly 40,000 volunteer hours to date, and community partner financial contributions totaling about $2,000,000.

Council members asked practical questions about family partners’ visibility on site and the work they perform; Miller said family partners work alongside volunteers on tasks such as siding, painting, landscaping and finishing, and that they wear hard hats and perform tasks both inside and outside the houses. When asked whether SPAN smart panels were included, Miller said she was not familiar with that specific product and the answer from her presenters was that SPAN panels were not included in the current scope, though SMUD remains a partner on electrification and energy‑efficiency measures.

City staff and Habitat representatives said they will circulate flyers and digital assets council members can share to help reach Citrus Heights residents. Miller invited council members and staff to volunteer at upcoming build days, and she announced a dedication event for Phase 1 planned for June 6 at 10 a.m.

The project partners named during the presentation included the city of Citrus Heights, CalHome (state funding), community project funding at the federal level, Habitat local sponsorships and SMUD for energy partnerships.

Next steps: the Phase 3 application period opens Feb. 1 and closes March 30, 2026; orientations are scheduled Jan. 26 and Jan. 30, and Habitat will provide digital flyers and outreach materials for council distribution.