By Sara Beth Williams–
Applications for 14 new affordable homes in Citrus Heights will officially open on Feb. 1 as part of Phase 3 of a partnership project between Habitat for Humanity Greater Sacramento and the City of Citrus Heights. The housing project will result in 26 new homes built on Sayonara Drive.
The third phase of homes constructed will include a mix of two, three- and four-bedroom single-family residences, aimed at providing homeownership opportunities for working families who are making 30 to 80 percent of the Area Median Income.
Those interested in applying must attend an orientation session before submitting an application. Habitat for Humanity is planning two upcoming orientation events at the Citrus Heights Event Center, located at 6300 Fountain Square Drive.
One information session will be held on Monday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m., and a second information session will be held on Friday, Jan. 30. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with each session beginning promptly at 6 p.m.
Phases 2 and 3 follow the successful launch of the first phase of construction, which included the development of eight single-family homes along a previously underutilized parcel near Sayonara Drive. Those homes are expected to be completed in May 2026.
That initial phase saw overwhelming community interest, with over 300 submitted applications according to Habitat for Humanity Greater Sacramento CEO Leah Miller, who spoke at the groundbreaking for Phase 1 of the project.
Phase 2 will include the construction of four homes. Families for the second phase of homes were selected in January, Habitat for Humanity said last week. Construction is expected to be completed on the second phase of homes in October 2026.
The local Habitat for Humanity has called the Sayonara housing project their “largest housing project to date.”
The groundbreaking was attended by multiple local and regional leaders and partners, including several Citrus Heights City Council members and city staff, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, former and current Habitat for Humanity volunteers, members of the Citrus Heights Police Department, and more.
“The Sayonara housing project focuses on helping families earning between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income qualify for a starter home in order to build equity through home ownership and “break cycles of poverty,” Miller said.
Selected applicants will participate in Habitat’s “sweat equity” program, which requires contributing 500 volunteer hours toward building their homes.
Applications open Feb. 1 and will be accepted through March 30. Interested applicants can visit Habitat for Humanity Greater Sacramento’s website for more information and for eligibility requirements and instructions on how to apply.
