Project will add 70 new homes to community, launching first phase of 743-home transit-oriented community
Contact: Kalin Kipling-Mojaddedi, kalin.kipling-mojaddedi@lci.ca.gov (media assets available)
EL CERRITO (3/6/26) – California state representatives joined local officials and partners this week to celebrate a milestone: The groundbreaking of 70 new affordable homes next to the El Cerrito Plaza Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Station, launching the first phase of a 743-home development.
El Cerrito Plaza BART Parcel A South will transform part of an existing BART-owned parking lot within El Cerrito’s Downtown District into a six-story, U-shaped building with one- to three-bedroom homes for individuals and families earning between 30% and 60% of the Contra Costa Area Median Income (AMI).
This milestone was made possible in part through $39.1 million from the California Strategic Growth Council’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program. The application period for Round 10 of the AHSC Program just opened this week. AHSC is administered by SGC and implemented by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), which is under the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH). It is funded through California Climate Investments, which uses cap-and-invest dollars to support projects that reduce emissions, strengthen local economies, and advance equity and economic development in communities most impacted by pollution.
“The El Cerrito Plaza BART development will transform a parking lot into an affordable, sustainable, thriving community hub with on-site amenities and public transit options right next door,” said Erin Curtis, executive director of SGC. “This is exactly the type of modern, community-centered project the California Strategic Growth Council is excited to support as we strengthen regional resilience and build a California for all.”
“Today’s celebration is about more than building climate-smart, affordable housing, it’s about continuing to commit to creating strong, thriving, and healthy neighborhoods,” said BCSH Secretary Tomiquia Moss, who is a member of the California Strategic Growth Council. “El Centro Plaza highlights the power of partnership between state and local governments, developers, and community partners to bring sustainable and affordable housing developments to communities across California.”
The Larger Development
Parcel A South is one of six buildings in a 6.5-acre development that will provide 743 much-needed homes, 47% of which will be rented at below-market rents.
“This project exemplifies what we can accomplish when transit, housing, and community priorities align,” said BART Director Barnali Ghosh, whose District 3 includes El Cerrito Plaza Station. “By building high-quality, affordable homes right next to BART, we make it easier for families to thrive while reducing traffic, emissions, and long commutes, strengthening both our neighborhoods and our regional transportation system.”
The six-phase development includes a total of 22,000 square feet of new public open space; a potential 20,000-square-foot public library; 2,100 square feet of commercial space; transportation improvements; and a new BART parking garage with 145 spaces.
Related California and Holliday Development LLC are the developers.
“The El Cerrito Plaza development represents an incredible opportunity to leverage BART-owned land to connect residents to jobs and amenities, promote increased BART ridership and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Ann Silverberg, President and CEO of Related California Affordable. “Alongside our partners, we share a clear vision to help more residents stay in the Bay Area by strengthening the connection between affordable housing and transit. This first phase moves us closer to a vibrant, mixed-income neighborhood that will serve El Cerrito for generations.”
Parcel A South
Along with 70 affordable homes, the Parcel A South development’s ground floor will offer two wings of common areas and resident amenities, including a landscaped courtyard with a barbecue area, seating and children’s play areas.
The west wing will include a large community room with a communal kitchen, seating and tables for residents, special events, and recreation.
There will also be a secure bicycle storage room with a repair station along the Ohlone Greenway multi-use pathway.
The parking garage will include up to 29 parking spaces, both mechanized and non-mechanized.
“This groundbreaking reflects years of collaboration between the City of El Cerrito, BART, and our development partners,” said El Cerrito Mayor Gabe Quinto, adding, “As a designated Pro-Housing City, El Cerrito is committed to expanding housing opportunities through projects like this that support sustainability, reduce car dependency, and create vibrant, walkable communities near transit, retail, and schools. This development advances the city’s goals by providing housing at a range of income levels while helping meet our region’s housing needs.”
Factory-Built Housing Component
Parcel A South will be partially constructed using factory-based modular construction.
Factory-built housing offers an innovative solution to build more homes faster.
Just last month, the SGC’s Factory-Built Housing (FBH) Regional Pilot Program, funded by an allocation from the AHSC Program, launched its Round 3 application period, which has about $10 million in grants available.
The FBH Program aims to accelerate the adoption of factory-built housing solutions that are efficient, sustainable, and adaptable to diverse community needs.
Factory-built housing can:
· Get people back into homes faster.
· Lower costs through streamlined, low-waste production.
· Improve resilience with durable, fire-resistant materials and climate-adaptive designs.
· Reduce emissions by relying on high-efficiency, environmentally responsible manufacturing.
Round 3 aims to expand the regional use and impact of factory-built housing and is tailored to support applicants at different stages—whether they are building regional capacity, developing shared strategies, or preparing for implementation.
Applications are being accepted until 11:59 p.m. PST May 5.
Impact of California Climate Investments
The SGC recently surpassed a milestone of $5 billion in investments statewide – much of it funded by California Climate Investments.
The SGC investments:
· Fund affordable housing and transportation projects close to jobs, schools, and other daily destinations.
· Build climate resilience through protecting our productive farmlands and encouraging compact transit-oriented communities.
· Support community-led climate solutions that achieve major environmental, health, and economic benefits in California’s most disadvantaged communities.
California Climate Investments funding is part of the state’s cap-and-invest program, which requires polluters to buy allowances for the greenhouse gases they emit. The funding puts billions of dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — especially in disadvantaged communities.
California Climate Investments includes 117 programs administered by 27 state agencies, with funding directly supporting the governor’s work to build a California for All, meeting the housing needs throughout the state while also protecting California’s climate.
A Housing Approach that works
From the very first moments of the Newsom administration, the national crisis of housing and homelessness – which were decades in the making – has been addressed with ingenuity, seriousness, and expertise. No other state has devoted as much time and attention to these twin problems – and California is a leader in producing positive results.
About the California Strategic Growth Council
The SGC is part of the governor’s Cabinet, a team of state leaders who work closely with the governor to advance sustainability, equity, and quality of life across California—connecting housing, transportation, climate, and community investment.
The 10 distinguished members of the council include state-agency secretaries and directors, and three appointed members of the public. The Director of the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation acts as its chair.
The collaborative structure of SGC provides a pathway for broad implementation across state agencies to prioritize uplifting community voices into the type of projects and resources to receive state funds.
About the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency
With over 8,000 employees and a $4.6 billion operating budget department-wide, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency is responsible for fostering an equitable and inclusive California. BCSH does this by: licensing and regulating over 4 million professionals, businesses, and financial services; funding and facilitating the preservation and expansion of safe, affordable housing; advancing statewide collaborative efforts to prevent and end homelessness; and guarding and enforcing California’s civil rights laws.