California Construction News staff writer
National CORE and the City of Ontario have been awarded $30 million in state funding for affordable housing and transportation-related improvements along the Holt Boulevard corridor in downtown Ontario.
The funding comes from California’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program, which supports projects that combine housing development with transit and infrastructure investments. The award builds on the city’s earlier Transformative Climate Communities initiative focused on coordinated housing and neighborhood improvements.
According to the city, $20.9 million of the funding will be used to construct a 144-unit affordable housing development at 905 E. Holt Blvd. The remaining $9.8 million is designated for infrastructure and mobility projects in the surrounding area.
Planned work includes construction of the Grove Avenue Trail Connector, a Class I bicycle and pedestrian path linking Fourth Street and Holt Boulevard, as well as new ADA-accessible walking paths through Grove Memorial Park. Additional improvements are planned along Allyn Avenue, including sidewalk repairs, ADA upgrades, traffic-calming measures and crosswalk enhancements.
The project scope also includes installation of 10 bus shelters and expansion of Sunday service on Omnitrans’ sbX Green Line, providing seven-day-a-week transit service.
The funding also supports non-construction elements tied to the housing development, including transit passes, internet access and workforce and apprenticeship programs for residents.
Construction on the housing development and related infrastructure is expected to begin in late 2026, pending final approvals.
The award is the fifth AHSC grant received by National CORE. Previous AHSC-funded projects involving the organization have been located in San Bernardino, Santa Ana and East Los Angeles.
