A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC's affiliated entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities.
GSFA Celebrates 30 Years Paving a Path to Homeownership
This year, Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) celebrates 30 years paving a path to homeownership for low-and-moderate income California households, having helped over 85,000 individuals and families to purchase a home and provided more than $660 million in down payment and closing cost assistance.
GSFA was organized as a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) in 1993 by the Rural County Representatives of California and represented 18 counties in California. Today membership includes 56 counties and hundreds of cities across California with financial assistance programs throughout the state.
In 2010, GSFA expanded its operations into the provision of energy efficiency financing programs for residential and commercial properties. These programs were designed to help property owners improve energy costs, reduce the environmental impact of energy use and demand, and boost California’s economy through job creation. To-date, GSFA has participated in financing over 36,000 residential and commercial energy efficiency projects, totaling over $1 billion.
Ten years later, GSFA expanded its services even further, becoming a conduit for developers and contractors to access rebates for the installation of energy storage technology at both residential and commercial facilities. By providing bridge financing between grant approval and reimbursement, the financial hurdles for qualifying residents would be lightened, resulting in getting services to those who need it the most as efficiently as possible.
“Providing the best products and services possible while developing strong relationships with business partners that make our endeavors viable is the heart of our organization, said Craig Ferguson, Deputy Director of GSFA. “At times this means juggling challenging financial markets and shifting priorities as the real estate market fluctuates. I am proud to be a part of an organization that continues to innovate and evolve to improve the lives of so many.”
The agency’s impact on California’s economy over the past 30 years, and especially that of rural California, extends well beyond establishing affordable homeownership solutions. GSFA is now involved in a variety of economic development projects indirectly related to housing that provide transformative services to local communities and meet the needs of California’s growing population.
Out of a great vision to address housing affordability and with the commitment of an innovative and talented team over the span of three decades, hails a proven champion for affordable and responsible homeownership and economic development in California.
In the coming weeks, we will map out GSFA’s milestones on our website www.gsfahome.org. We hope you will join us as we showcase our beginning, our mission and the many achievements of the past three decades.
Golden State Finance Authority Releases New Episode of Journey to Home Ownership Series
Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) has released a new episode of the Journey to Homeownership Series. In this episode, GSFA Director of Marketing and Stakeholder Relations, Carolyn Sunseri, talks with one Tulare County employee, Christian Park, about his experience finding and purchasing his first home using GSFA’s Assist-to-Own program. This program provides special down payment and closing cost assistance for employees of GSFA member counties. In their conversation, Mr. Park explores how his life has changed since becoming a homeowner, the new responsibilities, and the advantages of owning property. Additionally, he discusses how he was able to overcome the barriers to homeownership with help from GSFA down payment assistance.
Watch the full episode here.
GSNR President and CEO, Greg Norton, Recognized Upon his Retirement for Years of Dedicated Service
After more than 20 years of dedicated leadership serving the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), Golden State Natural Resources (GSNR), and Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA), GSNR President and CEO Greg Norton officially entered retirement as of June 30th. His retirement was honored during the June meeting of the GSNR Board of Directors by Board Chair Matt Kingsley with the presentation of a resolution recognizing his years of committed service to rural counties.
During his tenure, Mr. Norton has been a staunch advocate for rural counties and a key driver in advancing GSNR's forest resiliency mission. As the CEO of RCRC, Greg directed advocacy efforts to amplify the voice of rural counties at the local, state, and federal levels. He also oversaw the work of RCRC’s affiliate entities to improve the quality of life in rural California. As the Executive Director of GSFA, Greg was integral in securing a 20-year Master Stewardship Agreement (MSA) with the United States Forest Service that helped pave the way for GSNR. And since assuming the role of GSNR's President & CEO, Greg has also been at the forefront of efforts to reduce excess biomass in California's forests, build wildfire and forest resilience, and stimulate economic opportunities in rural communities.
Since announcing his retirement, Greg has worked closely with GSNR and RCRC staff to ensure a smooth leadership transition for GSNR and sustained progress of GSNR's forest resiliency mission.
See the resolution recognizing Greg's accomplishments here.