State Sen. Anthony Portantino and Burbank Housing Corporation announced Tuesday a $2 million grant for affordable housing in the city.
The allocation was included in Portantino’s 2023-24 budget request last year. The check was presented to BHC Executive Director Sylvia Moreno and Board President Chris Welker.
“As a Burbank resident and a legislator, I am impressed with the work of the Burbank Housing Corporation and excited to be able to assist them in increasing Burbank’s affordable housing inventory,” Portantino said in a press statement.
“The high cost of housing has had a devastating effect on many Californians across the state and within the 25th Senate District and this is an important investment we must make to support those who are struggling,” the senator said.
The state allocation will go toward a new community development project in Burbank that would create 60 new affordable housing units that are designed to be all electric and environmentally sustainable. Fifteen units will serve homeless families with children as permanent supportive housing units. BHC plans to start construction in January 2026.
“We are truly excited about this new development,” said Sylvia Moreno, executive director of the Burbank Housing Corporation.
“On behalf of the Burbank Housing Corporation, I express profound gratitude to Sen. Portantino for this significant investment in our new project, which will create 60 affordable housing units. Creating 60 affordable housing units, with a portion dedicated for homeless families with children, demonstrates a true commitment to addressing the pressing needs of our community.”
Specifically, the funding is being used for the predevelopment phase of the project, which is essential to moving it forward. Predevelopment costs include architectural and landscape design, as well as environmental clearance and city application fees.
BHC owns and manages properties in five neighborhoods throughout the city. The project will be developed in one of Burbank’s focus neighborhoods.
BHC is a nonprofit community housing developer that has been providing affordable housing and supportive services to low and moderate-income households in Burbank for more than 25 years.
BHC owns and operates more than 45 multiunit buildings, consisting of more than 325 units that houses approximately 900 people.
Additionally, BHC operates two nationally accredited child care centers, which provide 180 spaces of child care for children between the ages of 6 weeks to 5 years old.
First published in the April 20 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
