SGV Habitat celebrates first homes provided under new law allowing 1 lot split into 2
Kiana, 26, walks through her new home during an event hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Baldwin Park to celebrate the first project completed under SB9, which enabled the nonprofit to split a single-family residential property into two lots and build a second home, in Baldwin Park on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Baldwin Park recognized two first-time homebuyers with a home dedication event, celebrating the first project completed under SB9, which enabled the nonprofit to split a single-family residential property into two lots and build a second home, in Baldwin Park on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Deacon Roberto Chevez blesses a newly built home during an event hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Baldwin Park to celebrate the first project completed under SB9, which enabled the nonprofit to split a single-family residential property into two lots and build a second home, in Baldwin Park on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Tammy Zea, 45, speaks during an event hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Baldwin Park to celebrate the first project completed under SB9, which enabled the nonprofit to split a single-family residential property into two lots and build a second home, in Baldwin Park on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Zea, a first time home owner, moved into the front unit in Nov. of last year, while a second resident will move into the brand new home built by the project. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Tammy Zea, 45, with her dog, Bonita, steps outside of her new home following an event hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Baldwin Park to celebrate the first project completed under SB9, which enabled the nonprofit to split a single-family residential property into two lots and build a second home, in Baldwin Park on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Zea, a first time home owner, moved into the front home in Nov. of last year, while a second resident will move into the brand new home built by the project. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Baldwin Park recognized two first-time homebuyers with a home dedication event, celebrating the first project completed under SB9, which enabled the nonprofit to split a single-family residential property into two lots and build a second home, in Baldwin Park on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity CEO, Bryan Wong, speaks during an event to celebrate the first project completed under SB9, which enabled the nonprofit to split a single-family residential property into two lots and build a second home, in Baldwin Park on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Deacon Roberto Chevez says a prayer during an event hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Baldwin Park to celebrate the first project completed under SB9, which enabled the nonprofit to split a single-family residential property into two lots and build a second home, in Baldwin Park on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Tammy Zea, 45, left, alongside Kiana, 26, receive gifts to go along with their new homes during an event hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Baldwin Park to celebrate the first project completed under SB9, which enabled the nonprofit to split a single-family residential property into two lots and build a second home, in Baldwin Park on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Kiana, 26, looks over her new home during an event hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Baldwin Park to celebrate the first project completed under SB9, which enabled the nonprofit to split a single-family residential property into two lots and build a second home, in Baldwin Park on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Kiana, 26, and first time home owner, speaks during an event hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Baldwin Park to celebrate the first project completed under SB9, which enabled the nonprofit to split a single-family residential property into two lots and build a second home, in Baldwin Park on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Tammy Zea, 45, left, and San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity CEO, Bryan Wong cut a ribbon during an event hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Baldwin Park to celebrate the first project completed under SB9, which enabled the nonprofit to split a single-family residential property into two lots and build a second home, in Baldwin Park on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Zea, a first time home owner, moved into the front unit in Nov. of last year, while a second resident will move into the brand new home built by the project. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Kiana, 26, cuts the ribbon for her new home during an event hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Baldwin Park to celebrate the first project completed under SB9, which enabled the nonprofit to split a single-family residential property into two lots and build a second home, in Baldwin Park on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Two San Gabriel Valley families are now first-time homeowners, thanks to Habitat for Humanity, which gave the keys on Thursday, April 18.
The new owners and Habitat, along with city housing leaders, came together at the site of their new homes in Baldwin Park, in a ceremony dedicated to the completion of the two structures. Tammy Zea, a single mother, and Kiana, a 26-year-old Baldwin Park local, are moving in. Kiana refrained from giving her last name for privacy reasons.
SGV Habitat’s project was its first ever to be built under SB9, also known as the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME) Act. The law enables the nonprofit to split single-family residential properties into two lots, refurbishing what was once a garage into a one-bedroom, one-bathroom second home on the back lot.
Tammy is a single mother, who recently purchased and moved into the property’s existing home, which needed minor repairs that were completed by SGV Habitat, according to the organization’s announcement.
Kiana will soon buy the newly constructed home on the back lot.
All Habitat home buyers pay an affordable mortgage, according to Habitat, which partners with families to build or improve a place they can call home.
The dedication comes as homeownership remains only an aspiration for many. High interest rates on a mortgage and tight inventories of homes have kept the cost too high.
Younger prospective buyers are particularly feeling the pinch.
As it is, according to SGV Habitat, the median Los Angeles home price is more than 22 times the average yearly salary of Generation Z (adults currently aged 18-27).
“I see in my future that with an affordable home I’ll be financially stable and in turn, I’ll avoid neglecting my basic needs,” says Kiana, 26. “It is truly a dream come true to have this opportunity for safety, stability and happiness! I give all my gratitude to SGV Habitat for Humanity!”
