November 28, 2018
New AHSC Report  Assesses Cap-and-Trade 
Housing Program Benefits
 
Today, the California Housing Partnership and  Enterprise Community Partners published a report that uses newly available data to assess the climate and community benefits delivered by the Cap-and-Trade-funded Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program through its first three funding rounds.
To date, the program has awarded $701 million to 77 location-efficient developments across the state that combine affordable housing and transportation infrastructure.

The report finds that AHSC has largely delivered on the ambitious goals set by the California Legislature, including:
  • New Affordable Homes: AHSC has provided critical funding for 6,443 affordable homes for low-income Californians. During the 55-year period these homes are required to remain affordable, residents will save approximately $3 billion in avoided rent, which they will be able to spend on essentials such as food, transportation, and health care.
  • Greenhouse Gas Reductions: AHSC-funded developments will reduce more than 1.6 million metric tons of CO2 over the course of their operating lives.
  • Jobs and Economic Impact: AHSC-funded developments will support more than 14,600 jobs, $1.2 billion in wages and business income, and more than $464 million in revenue for state and local government during construction.
  • Healthy Mobility OptionsAHSC funds pedestrian and bike improvements that increase community safety and active transportation and mobility, including 86 miles of new or improved bike lanes and 671 new or improved crosswalks.
  • Air Quality Improvements: Awarded developments from Round 3 will reduce approximately 195,000 pounds of air pollutant emissions over the course of their operating lives, mostly in disadvantaged and low-income communities.
Quantifying the impact of affordable housing programs at the level of detail included in this report is rare - and would not have been possible without the cooperation of the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) and the California Air Resource Board (CARB).