The Inland Empire’s Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS), Neighborhood Housing Services LA County, and the Bay Area’s Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services are partnering with C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund (HAF) to administer funds of up to $250,000 within each of their regions in 2022 under C.A.R.’s Closing Cost Assistance grant program.

“Homeownership is a key element to building generational wealth and economic security for working families while stabilizing communities across our state,” said C.A.R. President Otto Catrina. “We’re pleased to partner with these nonprofit organizations to help create true housing equity for all Californians, so they have an opportunity to realize the economic and societal benefits that homeownership provides.”

C.A.R. released a report last year showing that less than half of Black households earned the minimum income needed to purchase a home as compared to whites, illustrating the homeownership gap and wealth disparity for people of color, women, people with disabilities, indigenous people and members of the LGBTQ community. Also, according to most recent data, homeownership rates for Black (37%) and Latino (44%) households were far below overall rates (55%).

Visit C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund website to apply.

Program Criteria:

• Recipient must be a first-time homebuyer.
• Recipient must be a member of an underserved community, including LGBTQ+ and veterans.
• The property being purchased by recipient must be a single-family residence.
• The purchased property must not have an affordable housing deed restriction.
• Recipient’s income must be no more than 120% of the Area Median Income (“AMI”).
• Recipient must be represented by a REALTOR^® in the transaction.
• Recipient must certify they intend occupy within 60 days of escrow close for a minimum of 3 years.
• Recipient must use either government or conventional GSE financing.
• Recipient must be left with no more than $20,000 in savings after the purchase.

C.A.R. established its Housing Affordability Fund (HAF) in November 2002 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) to address California’s growing housing affordability crisis.

The nonprofit partners selected have experience creating and administering home buyer assistance programs and have long-standing presence within underserved communities. The partners also offer HUD-approved first-time home buyer counseling and can help program recipients increase their buying power by layering C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund Closing Cost Grant Program with other forms of buyer assistance that their organizations may be offering or administering.

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There are a number of opportunities available to serve on commissions in Walnut Creek. Applications will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. January 26 for vacancies on the following City commissions:

• Arts Commission (2 seats vacant)
• Design Review (one vacancy, must be a registered architect to apply)
• Park, Recreation and Open Space (one vacancy, must be a City resident)
• Planning Commission (one vacancy, must be a City resident)
• Transportation Commission (one vacancy, must be a City resident)

On February 1, the City Council will select applicants to invite for interviews that will take place on February 15. Appointments are expected to be made at the conclusion of the interviews. Apply online and get more information on the City’s website: www.walnut-creek.org

Advisory commissions serve and important role in the City of Walnut Creek, and give residents a first-hand perspective and involvement in shaping the City’s future. A complete listing of the Commission’s duties can be found in Sections 2-1.101 through 2-1.604 of the Walnut Creek Municipal Code. (https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/WalnutCreek/)

There is also an opening for a Walnut Creek alternate representative on the Contra Costa Library Commission, which provides a link between the community and the County’s library system. It also provides a forum for the public to express views regarding the goals and operations of the Library, assist in providing library services based on assessed public needs, and to make recommendations to improve the Library.

Additionally, there is an opening for a Walnut Creek resident on the Central Contra Costa Transit Authority Advisory Committee, which reviews, analyzes and advices the County Connection Board on issues relating to bus and paratransit service. The Committee also considers and makes recommendation on finance and planning issues. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will make the final approval decision for the chosen candidate.

Main duties of each City Commission with a current opening: