By Sara Beth Williams–
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento celebrated a major milestone Saturday morning as the organization dedicated the first eight homes of the Sayonara housing project by handing keys to the first eight of twenty-six families.
The home dedication giving ceremony took place at 9 a.m. on Sayonara Drive, Saturday, June 6, where the eight families received congratulations, encouragement, and the keys to their first homes, as well as several housewarming gifts from multiple organizations.
“I am so excited to have our first families come in; this is truly the sign and delivery of our promise to this community that we’re going to uplift it and bring families here,” Citrus Heights Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff said just prior to the ceremony’s kick-off.
According to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento, the project marks the organization’s first affordable homeownership community in Citrus Heights and its largest development in its 40-year history.
Once completed, the Sayonara Drive neighborhood will provide housing for nearly 120 residents, including children. The development replaces previously vacant and blighted lots with a new residential community designed to provide long-term affordable homeownership opportunities.
Habitat for Humanity officials said in a news release that each homeowner contributed more than 500 hours of volunteer labor, known as “sweat equity,” helping build their own homes and those of their future neighbors. Through Habitat’s homeownership program, participating families purchase their homes through a 30-year, zero-percent-interest equivalent mortgage.
Habitat officials also shared that, aside from families, many contractors, electricians, churches, and other organizations volunteered and contributed labor at no cost toward completing the eight homes and continue to work on constructing the remaining 18 homes.
“Homeownership is not just about having a house,” future homeowner Latanya said in a statement. “It’s about giving my children the security of knowing they will always have a safe place to come home to.” Latanya, along with all other families, had the opportunity to speak to the hope and future that now owning a home gives them, as well as to thank all of the organizations that made it possible to do so.
Families were given multiple housewarming gifts, including a candle from the City of Citrus Heights, food baskets from Grocery Outlet, a tool kit, flowers, a photo frame, and a custom Habitat for Humanity stepping stone from U.S. Rep. Ami Bera’s office.
The project was made possible through partnerships with the City of Citrus Heights, the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the office of Ami Bera, SMUD, and numerous donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community organizations, Habitat said. Multiple representatives spoke during the ceremony and shared their gratitude, excitement, and emotion with the gathering of families, supporters, volunteers, past volunteers, and local and community partners.
“This project represents more than just housing. It represents hope, partnership, and the power of perseverance,” said Jason Blair, section manager of the California Department of Housing and Community Development. “Together, we’re not just raising walls, we’re raising hope, and today, hope has a new address.”
The all-electric homes range from two to five bedrooms and include electric vehicle charging, drought-tolerant landscaping, solar battery storage, and other energy-efficient features intended to reduce utility costs for homeowners. Habitat said the development serves families earning between 30 and 80 percent of the area’s median income.
Additional home dedication ceremonies are expected to be held as the remaining homes in the development are completed. The second set of homes is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026, and the third group of homes is anticipated to be completed sometime in 2027.
