Ready to Build
Equipping community-based nonprofits to advance affordable housing projects in the Bay Area
What Is Ready to build?
Across the Bay Area, community-based nonprofits are stepping into housing development to meet the housing crisis and deepen their impact. But moving a housing project forward requires real estate, financial, and development expertise that many organizations do not have in-house.
Ready to Build helps bridge that gap. Through intensive, one-on-one technical assistance, the program equips nonprofits with the expertise and capacity to advance safe, sustainable, and affordable housing. Support is tailored to each project, helping organizations move from early concepts toward key development milestones.
Ready to Build is designed for new developers with housing projects positioned to achieve site acquisition, construction start, or construction completion by December 1, 2028.
Who is Ready to Build for?
Ready to Build is open to nonprofits advancing affordable housing projects in the Bay Area, especially those new to housing development or expanding their role in developing and owning housing.
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must be nonprofits. Eligible organizations may include:
- Community-based organizations
- Affordable housing providers
- Emerging or small developers
- Nonprofits serving as a lead or co-developer for the first time
- Community land trusts
- Resident-controlled housing organizations
- Supportive service providers expanding into housing development or ownership
- Housing referral agencies
- Community development corporations
- Tribal organizations, including those whose projects are not on federal land
- Faith-based development entities
Eligible Projects
Projects must:
- Be located in one of the nine Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, or Sonoma
- Provide housing affordable to households earning at or below 120% of Area Median Income (AMI)
- Have an identified site
- Preference to projects with site control, including: fee title, a qualifying leasehold interest, a disposition and development agreement, an exclusive negotiating agreement, a land sales or other enforceable acquisition agreement, or an option agreement
- Preference to projects with site control, including: fee title, a qualifying leasehold interest, a disposition and development agreement, an exclusive negotiating agreement, a land sales or other enforceable acquisition agreement, or an option agreement
- Be positioned to reach a significant development milestone by December 1, 2028, such as site acquisition, construction start, or construction completion
- Demonstrate a need for technical assistance to advance the project toward acquisition, construction, or completion
What to Expect
Key Dates
Send all requests for information (RFI) to Leslie Palaroan, Senior Program Manager, at lpalaroan@communityvisionca.org. All times below are Pacific.
- Ready to Build Info Session – October 13, 2026 at 10am
- Requests for Information (RFI) due – October 16, 2026 at 5pm
- RFI responses posted – October 19, 2026 at 5pm
- Applications due (rolling if needed) – November 13, 2026 at 5pm
- Application review period – November 16 – November 30, 2026
- Projects selected – first week of December 2026
Got additional questions? Read our full FAQs here.
Why Participate?
Ready to Build is designed to help nonprofits make meaningful progress on a housing project while strengthening their ability to take on development work over the long term.
Participating organizations can:
Access specialized expertise at no cost
Receive technical assistance tailored to the needs of your organization and project, fully funded for qualified 501(c)(3) organizations.
Identify challenges earlier and reduce risk
Evaluate feasibility and address potential barriers before committing significant time and resources.
Build development capacity
Strengthen your team’s knowledge and ability to navigate housing development, ownership, and management.
Apply Now
Ready to Build applications are open now and due November 13, 2026 at 5pm Pacific Time.
Questions about the application or program? Contact Leslie Palaroan, Senior Program Manager, at lpalaroan@communityvisionca.org.
