AUBURN, CA (MPG) - An innovative affordable housing project that combines primary residences with accessory dwelling units broke ground in west Placer County last week.

The Parkside at Sabre City development will consist of 44 3- and 4-bedroom homes and 2-bedroom accessory dwelling units on 22 single-family lots. The project is designed to provide a diverse range of housing options for income-eligible working families, with the eventual goal of helping these residents become homeowners.

The manufactured homes will be built by Skyline Homes in Woodland and assembled on site. Coupled with grants and developer in-lieu fees from Placer County and the state Department of Housing and Community Development, utilizing manufactured homes will allow the units to be built for an average of $400,000 each – half of the average cost of building affordable housing in the region.

“For many families, renting affordable homes and owning a home in the communities where they work and contribute seemed like an impossible dream, but Housing Trust Placer, along with strong partnerships with local governments and businesses, are making it a reality,”said Robyn van Ekelenburg, the nonprofit's chief executive officer. “With input from the homebuilding industry and the county, the Trust has created an innovative and efficient approach to solving these challenges, one that balances cost-effectiveness with long-term sustainability.”

Housing Trust Placer was formed in late 2019 out of discussions between the North State Building Industry Association and Placer County on the best way to finance affordable housing in the county. Because the trust is an independent nonprofit, it is eligible for significant state grants not available to many public-private partnerships as well as grants from other organizations.

In addition, homebuilding professionals are members of the trust's board of directors, providing insights into the most cost-effective ways to develop and build projects.

“Our Board of Supervisors has prioritized creating a community where people can afford to live where they work, recognizing that housing stability is essential for the wellbeing of our residents,” District 1 Supervisor Bonnie Gore said.

A family of four can earn up to $94,000 a year to qualify, meaning a wide variety of workers priced out of Placer County will be eligible to rent the properties. The trust's goal is to convert the homes to deed-restricted for-sale homes, allowing the owners to capture a portion of the home's appreciation upon sale.

“As a county, we've been working extremely hard to identify innovative solutions and streamline processes to meet the growing demand for housing in Placer County and Parkside at Sabre todCity is a testament to that commitment,” said Placer County Executive Officer Daniel Chatigny.

Parkside at Sabre City is expected to be completed and fully occupied by the end of 2025.

For more information on Housing Trust Placer and future projects, click here.