The Alameda County Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) today announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Scalable Housing Investment Funding Toolkit (SHIFT) initiative, a pilot program designed to pioneer the production of affordable housing through standardized, pre- permitted designs and streamlined development processes.
The SHIFT program represents a fundamental reimagining of affordable housing development, building homes for lower income households earning 60-80% of Area Median Income through an innovative approach that combines sustainable public investment with cutting-edge design and regulatory efficiency. Over 9,000 Alameda County households at this income level currently pay more than half of their monthly income on rent, underscoring the urgent need for local housing solutions.
“We’re opening the door for a new generation of affordable housing that can be built quickly, efficiently, and at scale,” said Deputy Housing Director Jennifer Pearce “By pre-permitting standardized designs, reducing regulatory barriers, and supporting complements to tax-credit development, we will create quality housing below the traditional cost and overcome barriers that have historically slowed production.”