Citrus Heights Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff, city manager Ash Feeney, council members Porsche Middleton and Dr. Jayna Karpinski-Costa joined with fellow city staff members in the key presentation.

 

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Habitat for Humanity of Sacramento (HHGS) celebrated the completion of its first phase of an affordable homeownership community in the city of Citrus Heights and the organization’s largest development to date in a special morning dedication and community celebration on Saturday, June 6.

Eight partner families, the first of 26 families who will be moving into Habitat for Humanity of Sacramento’s largest development to date on Sayonara Drive, were seated on either side of the speaker’s podium, quietly reflecting on their personal journey towards home ownership waiting for the moment the keys to their new homes would be turned over to them.

Each family has completed 500 hours of sweat equity – working, building and investing in a future alongside their future neighbors.

Construction of the first phase of eight new homes began in August 2025. A second phase of homes began earlier this year, and is expected to be completed by October 2026, according to Habitat for Humanity of Sacramento (HHGS), when another such home dedication ceremony will be held.

Matt Bovaird, construction site supervisor for Habitat for Humanity of Sacramento, congratulated each new homeowner, and the many volunteers, sponsors and construction trades who took part in the building project. Bovaird also gave special recognition to the city of Citrus Heights and city staff for the level of partnership to guide the project from start to finish.

“I couldn’t be any more proud of each and every one of you,” he said.

When complete, this new 26-home community will provide stable, affordable housing for nearly 120 individuals, including children.

“Today, you are not just unlocking the doors to a house – you are opening the door to stability, opportunity and a brighter future,” said Citrus Heights Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff in remarks.

“This is a place where your families will grow, where memories will be made and where hope will live every single day. And here in Citrus Heights, we are especially proud – because today, you are not just becoming homeowners – you are becoming part of our community. We are truly excited to welcome you.”

Each new homeowner and their family receive the keys to their new home following a special morning dedication and community celebration on Saturday, June 6.

Construction of the first phase of eight new homes began in August 2025. A second phase of homes began earlier this year, and is expected to be completed by October, according to HHGS, when another such home dedication ceremony will be held.

Not much more than a year ago the first walls of each residence in Phase 1 of the project were raised by enthusiastic volunteers and Habitat building crew members who gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony. The barren field where Saturday’s celebration was held will soon be alive with construction when the third phase of new homes soon starts construction.

The completion of all 26 residential units along Sayonara Drive is scheduled for 2027.

Guest speakers included Jason Blair, section manager for the California Department of Housing and Community Development in Sacramento and Gregg Fishman, president of the board of directors of SMUD.

“This project represents more than just housing. It represents hope, partnership and the power of perseverance,” said Jason Blair, section manager of the California Department of Housing and Community Development. “Together, we’re not just raising walls, we’re raising hope, and today, hope has a new address.”

The Sayonara Drive project, when completed, includes 26 affordable permanent homes constructed in three phases in partnership with the City of Citrus Heights.

Time to open the front door. The front door of each of the eight new homes featured a large white ribbon welcoming their new homeowners.

Each of the eight new homeowning families received a special housewarming gift basket with included symbolic gifts of salt, sugar and bread, from multiple organizations.

Individual housewarming gifts also included a candle from the city of Citrus Heights, lighting the journey ahead, food baskets from Grocery Outlet, a tool kit, flowers offered in celebration, a keepsake photo frame in which new memories will be cherished, and a custom Habitat for Humanity steppingstone from U.S. Rep. Ami Bera’s office to mark their first footprints through their front door.

Construction of the affordable homeownership community by Habitat for Humanity of Sacramento was made possible through partnerships with the City of Citrus Heights, the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the office of Ami Bera, SMUD, and numerous generous donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community organizations, Habitat said.

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

Families who were selected for the Habitat for Humanity program went through an application process to purchase the homes through affordable 30-year, “0% interest equivalent” fixed-rate mortgages.

Each family moving into their home on Sayonara Drive has already completed 500 hours of sweat equity – working, building and investing in a future alongside their future neighbors.

The new homes were intended for households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income. Habitat describes the model as providing “a hand up, not a handout,” with an emphasis on long-term financial stability and generational wealth creation.

Available homes include three-bedroom homes with two-and-a-half bathrooms ranging from 1,199 to 1,247 square feet and four-bedroom homes with two bathrooms, totaling 1,452 square feet.

Following the ceremony, it was just a brief walk across Sayonara Drive to the front door of each of the eight new homes, each bearing a white ribbon on the front door, where a display sign told family’s own personal story towards home ownership. Guests were invited to join the families as they toured their new homes. Many did so, looking up at solar panels on each roof and seeing the modern features inside.

“To the families – as you walk through your doors today, know that you are supported, celebrated and welcomed,” Lopez-Taff said.

“Every time you turn your key, remember all you’ve accomplished and know that you are home here in Citrus Heights. Today is a celebration of perseverance, partnership and hope. And on behalf of the City of Citrus Heights – and as your mayor – it is my honor to say, we are proud to have you here. We’re excited for your future, and we’re grateful you are now part of our community.”

“Congratulations and welcome home,” Lopez-Taff said.