Newsom to create 209 affordable homes on underused state land in Riverside

Image courtesy of the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

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Governor Gavin Newsom announced on November 18, 2025, that California will build 209 affordable homes on underutilized state property in Riverside, reinforcing his administration’s aggressive strategy to leverage state land for housing .(Governor’s Office, 2025)

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Housing plan overview

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The Riverside site is part of California’s Excess Sites Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative that identifies state-owned properties suitable for housing development. Newsom’s office says the 209 homes will be targeted toward lower- and moderate-income residents, helping to meet local demand in a region facing rapid population growth.

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Earlier in 2025, Newsom expanded the program by launching a streamlined online portal for developers, making it easier to browse available state land, submit proposals, and secure leases. This change aims to reduce bureaucratic delays and speed up project delivery on surplus sites.

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Why this matters

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Newsom’s announcement aligns with a broader push to address California’s persistent housing affordability crisis. The state is under intense pressure to build more homes, especially affordable ones, and repurposing public land is one of the few scalable strategies available.

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By using underutilized state parcels, the plan helps conserve private land and reduce reliance on costly, contested development. It also provides certainty to developers: rather than negotiating with multiple private landowners, they can bid on publicly identified sites under a fully transparent process.

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Newsom’s role in California housing reform

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Governor Newsom has been central to California’s recent housing agenda. In February 2025, his administration expanded the Excess Sites Program, making dozens more properties available for housing development. Just months later, in May 2025, Newsom proposed further reforms to streamline permitting, eliminate regulatory barriers for transit-oriented development, and introduce new financing tools for infill housing (Governor’s Office, 2025).

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Future implications

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If the Riverside project proceeds smoothly, it could serve as a model for other communities across California: converting state-owned land into affordable housing may become a standard approach. The initiative could also help shift developer interest toward public land, especially for missions-driven or affordable-housing builders.

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At the same time, Newsom's leadership sends a broader message: the state is willing to intervene directly to overcome housing supply constraints. As more properties are released and developed under the Excess Sites Program, the cumulative impact could significantly increase the number of deeply affordable homes in high-need areas.

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Quick Tip: If your organization is involved in affordable housing development, watch the California Excess Sites Portal for new state-owned properties listed for lease or development. These state parcels can offer more predictable costs, lower land acquisition barriers, and a direct path to contribute to California’s housing goals.

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Xavier Rodriguez is the CEO of ADU Geeks, San Diego’s leading ADU consulting and project management firm. In 2024, the company was ranked No. 1 on the San Diego Business Journal’s Fastest Growing Private Companies list in the Small Business category, achieving 594.3% revenue growth.