Current Status

The Governor announced on August 20, 2026 that the City of Benicia has received the prestigious Prohousing Designation from the State of California. Through this designation, the City of Benicia has been awarded $750,000 in Prohousing Incentive Program (PIP) grant funds to support the Benicia Senior Housing project (learn more about this project at www.beniciaseniorhousing.com).

As one of only 10 California jurisdictions to achieve this certification since October 2025—and one of just 75 statewide—Benicia is being recognized by the state for enacting proactive, locally driven policies to address housing affordability and homelessness. The state honors communities that actively lower costs, accelerate housing production, and expand housing opportunities. Benicia secured this elite status by implementing key prohousing strategies:

• Streamlining development for multifamily housing to accelerate project timelines and approvals
• Up-zoning areas near jobs and transit to lower environmental emissions
• Creating opportunities for affordable homes in neighborhoods that have historically excluded lower-income families

Earning this designation is more than just an honor; it brings vital financial resources to our City. PIP grants are exclusively available to designated Prohousing cities to help accelerate affordable housing production. Moving forward, this certification gives Benicia a permanent competitive edge when applying for other major state funding opportunities. For more information on the City’s Prohousing Designation Certification and PIP award, please visit https://www.hcd.ca.gov/about-hcd/newsroom/pip-awards-2026.