BCLT Groundbreaking Marks New Affordable Homes in Bakersfield!
BCLT Groundbreaking Marks New Affordable Homes in Bakersfield!

Posted on August 28, 2025
On August 6, local leaders, housing advocates, and community members gathered at 346 S. Owens Street to celebrate a major milestone for affordable housing in Bakersfield. The Bakersfield Community Land Trust (BCLT), in partnership with the City of Bakersfield and Self-Help Enterprises (SHE), hosted a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction on 14 new homes for first-time, low- and moderate-income buyers.
“Everyone wants a safe, affordable place to call home,” said Karen Goh, Mayor of the City of Bakersfield. “Today’s groundbreaking marks a critical step towards realizing that vision in our community. The Bakersfield City Council’s formation of the Bakersfield Community Land Trust offers more residents a sustainable pathway to homeownership. It creates opportunities for families to build equity and generational wealth. This milestone represents the City’s continued efforts to support the American dream, protect long-term residents, and preserve the rich cultural fabric of our neighborhoods.”
Betsy McGovern-Garcia, Executive Director of the BCLT and Vice President at Self-Help Enterprises, added, “We are proud to bring new affordable homes to Bakersfield families who have been waiting for the opportunity to own a home. This project reflects the power of partnership and commitment to creating housing that lasts and supports strong, thriving communities for generations.”
Councilmember Andrae Gonzales, Chairman of the BCLT Board of Directors, emphasized the community impact: “This groundbreaking marks a new chapter for southeast Bakersfield, rooted in equity, opportunity, and progress. The Bakersfield Community Land Trust isn’t just building new homes, we are helping families build stability and generational wealth. And the entire community will benefit. With new construction and new homeowners in Southeast Bakersfield, we are strengthening the foundation of community health and safety. This project is a long-overdue investment to a community full of potential and promise that has long been underserved.”
Although Ward 4 Councilmember Bob Smith was unable to attend, he shared: “Affordable housing is the key for the future economic prosperity of Bakersfield. This project and all the ones that follow in the years to come will provide an economic boost to the families purchasing the homes and the community at large. I’m proud to be a part of this important step for the families and economy of Bakersfield.”
The 14 new homes will be developed across lots in Bakersfield and reflect the BCLT’s mission to make homeownership possible for households who are often priced out of the market. The homes will feature modern designs, energy-efficient features, and access to homeownership counseling services tailored for first-time, low-income buyers. Using the land trust model, the ownership of the home is separated from the land. Buyers own and build equity in their home while leasing the land through a long-term, renewable agreement, ensuring the homes remain permanently affordable for future generations.
The first two homes, located at 7021 and 7033 Sunchase Drive, will be available through a public lottery. Applications opened July 1, 2025, and close September 10, 2025, with a lottery drawing on September 17, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at 1600 Truxtun Avenue.
Prospective buyers must submit a pre-application, provide a mortgage pre-approval for at least $110,000, and meet eligibility criteria. Full information and downloadable materials are available at www.bakersfieldclt.org, or by contacting Self-Help Enterprises at (559) 651-1000 or info@bakersfieldclt.org. Preference will be given to current Bakersfield residents. Families needing support with budgeting, credit repair, or general readiness are encouraged to enroll in Self-Help Enterprises’ Gateway Program, which offers free homeownership counseling and education.
About the Bakersfield Community Land Trust (BCLT)
Established in 2024, the Bakersfield Community Land Trust (BCLT) is a nonprofit public benefit corporation founded by the City of Bakersfield and community members looking to create a new tool to help address affordable housing crisis in the valley. The BCLT’s mission is to lessen the burdens of government by assisting City of Bakersfield to ensure that its residents are able to secure housing by, among other things, developing, constructing, financing, managing, selling, renting, subsidizing, and monitoring single- and multi-family housing, and to conduct or perform any ancillary or related activity in furtherance of the foregoing. In December 2024, the BCLT and City of Bakersfield selected Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) to administer a $6.5M funding contract to develop affordable housing on a variety of BCLT sites, including the administrative and operational functions of the BCLT. Through the partnership with SHE and the City of Bakersfield, the BCLT plans to develop approximately 15-20 affordable homeownership units.
Recent Posts
- BCLT Groundbreaking Marks New Affordable Homes in Bakersfield!
- Celebrating NeighborWorks Week and 300th Home Milestone in Planada!
- Groundbreaking Marks New Chapter for Tombstone Water System
- Southwest Fresno Families Celebrate Their Self-Built Homes
- Celebrating the Grand Opening of River Grove in Oakhurst!
Recent Comments
Archives
- August 2025
- June 2025
- May 2025
- April 2025
- February 2025
- January 2025
- December 2024
- November 2024
- October 2024
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- June 2024
- April 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- December 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- May 2022
- December 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- February 2015