The Citrus Heights Planning Commission considered and unanimously approved motions for a tentative subdivision map and its design review for the pending construction of 26 new half-plex housing units to be built by Habitat for Humanity of Sacramento on Sayonara Drive. Project drawing provided by Habitat for Humanity of Sacramento

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The Citrus Heights Planning Commission unanimously approved motions for a tentative subdivision map and its design review for the pending construction of 26 new half-plex housing units to be built by Habitat for Humanity of Sacramento on Sayonara Drive.

Chief city planner Alison Bermudez presented a project overview to Citrus Heights Planning Commission members. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento (HFHGS) President and CEO Leah Miller then answered additional questions voiced by the commission before it voted.

The Citrus Heights Planning Commission approved a motion to approve a tentative subdivision map to allow for the subdivision of the project area into 26 single-family homes based on the findings contained in the city’s staff report and its attached conditions of approval. A Design Review Permit was also approved to allow for the project’s construction subject to the city’s Small Lot Housing Ordinance. Commissioners also adopted Resolution No. 24-06, finding that the project is categorically exempt per Section 15332 from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and from Section 15194 (Affordable Housing).

Construction of the 26 new units by Habitat for Humanity on 12 vacant city-owned lots in Citrus Heights, using CalHome funding, will meet the city’s obligation to replace blighted rental units that were demolished between 2008 and 2010.

The Citrus Heights City Council declared the property surplus in May 2022 and the state of California approved the surplus declaration in June 2022.

In all, there will be two two-bedroom/one-bathroom units (971 square feet), 12 three-bedroom-two-bathroom units (1,214 square feet), 10 four-bedroom two-bathroom units (1,407 square feet) and two five-bedroom, two-bathroom units (1,523 square feet) built, according to project plans described by chief city planner Alison Bermudez.

The total approximate average cost for infrastructure and construction of each home is approximately $330,000, according to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento.

Secured funds include an estimated $1.9 million from the city of Citrus Heights and $1,050,000 in federal Community Project Funding obtained with support from Congressman Ami Bera. Other Sayonara project funding will come from multiple sources, including corporate sponsorships, individual giving and special events, Miller said in an earlier interview.

In a summary of the city’s findings for design review approval, Bermudez told commission members that the project is “consistent with the city’s General Plan and zoning code, complies with the design standards with appropriate landscape and offers an attractive and desirable site layout and safe and efficient access and circulation.”

The new, for sale housing units, which will be built on their own parcel with a front yard and a private backyard, will be sold to qualifying low-income households that participate in Habita for Humanity’s existing program that provides affordable home ownership opportunities, Miller said.

Labor is typically provided by volunteers who will help build the new homes (no experience is necessary); training and tools are provided by Habitat for Humanity when actual construction starts.

The new all-electric two-, three- and four-bedroom duet style homes feature drought-tolerant landscaping, energy- efficient heating systems, low-flow plumbing systems, security alarm systems, solar battery storage and rooftop solar panels. When completed, the project will provide housing for nearly 120 low-income individuals, including children.

Miller said construction will be done in three stages of eight to 10 units per stage, with each stage taking approximately a year to complete.

A “self-help” contributed labor component is also required, with each home-buyer household providing 500 hours of sweat equity in building their or their neighbor’s homes, Miller added.

Lot site infrastructure improvements are scheduled to start this October and be finished by March 2025. The application period for the 26 new single-family homes will start in April 2025, with a targeted completion by January 2027, over a period of 22 months, according to chief city planner Bermudez in her presentation.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento also announced that it has received funding from the state department housing and community development to provide an owner-occupied rehabilitation program to low-income residents of Sacramento and Yolo counties, Miller said.

The city of Citrus Heights has referred five single-family and three mobile home low-income homeowners to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento to provide health and safety repairs.

“We’re excited that due to our partnership with the city, HFHGS will be able to help eight Citrus Heights residents on its current home repair waitlist,” Miller said.

The current waitlist includes 121 households in single family homes and 59 households in mobile homes, she added.

Potential applicants seeking to qualify for Habitat for Humanity homeownership can learn more at https://habitatgreatersac.org/home-ownership/apply.

General information for those who might want to volunteer to work on the Sayonara Drive or other Habitat projects or wish to donate to the cost of construction should visit habitatgreatersac.org.

For additional information about the Sayonara Housing Development Project Phase 1 in Citrus Heights, visit www.citrusheights.net/132/Community-Development-Department.