
A 79-unit affordable housing community has opened within the Placer County Government Center campus in Auburn, California.
Mercy North Auburn at Rock Creek, which features a trio of three-story apartment buildings and one two-story townhouse building, is a collaborative effort of Mercy Housing California and Placer County.
“Affordable housing is just the beginning of what makes a healthy community thrive,” said Doug Shoemaker, president of Mercy Housing California. “We are proud to partner with Placer County to deliver this new 79-home affordable community in the heart of North Auburn."
The county contributed 3 acres of property, housing vouchers, and funding from two state grants totaling more than $4.5 million. With financial support from California’s No Place Like Home Program, the Placer County Adult System of Care is providing referrals and case management for residents of 20 of the new homes.
“I believe there are few issues more critical to the health and well-being of our county than providing more affordable housing to our residents,” said Placer County District 5 supervisor Cindy Gustafson. “We can go so much further and achieve more for our residents when the public and private sectors come together, like we’ve done here at Mercy North Auburn at Rock Creek.”
There are approximately 8,570 low-income renter households in Placer County that do not have access to an affordable home, according to data from the California Housing Partnership.
In addition to providing important housing opportunities, Mercy North Auburn at Rock Creek aligns with the county’s vision to redevelop the government center with a variety of mixed uses.
The housing development boasts community spaces, outdoor green spaces, and play equipment for children. With support from Placer Community Foundation, local artists Norm Tucker and Stan Padilla created artwork for the grounds that honors the area’s Maidu, Miwok, and Nisenan tribes and affirms the power of the area’s natural elements.
The total development cost was $34.5 million. Funders included Wells Fargo Bank, California Community Reinvestment Corp., California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, and California Department of Housing and Community Development.