California Opens Surplus State Buildings for Housing and Commercial Reuse

New online portal aims to speed up redevelopment of underused state properties across the state.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 5:15pm

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The California Department of General Services (DGS) has launched an online portal that lists 19 surplus state properties available for redevelopment, including 15 open for proposals. The new dashboard is meant to simplify the application process and get viable housing and commercial projects into the construction pipeline faster.

Why it matters

This initiative is part of the state's broader effort to put idle public land to productive use and address California's housing shortage. By streamlining the process, the state hopes to accelerate the conversion of underutilized state buildings into new homes, jobs, and neighborhood-serving retail.

The details

The new portal allows developers to browse a digitized inventory of surplus state properties, check maps and details, and submit proposals directly through the state's online system. This replaces the previous process of waiting for site-specific solicitations from the state. DGS will evaluate submissions based on factors like project feasibility, financial return, and local/regional impact. Selected developers will be expected to build the projects as proposed.

  • The new portal was launched on January 26, 2026.
  • In February 2025, the state had previously opened a continuous application track for excess state sites flagged for affordable housing.

The players

Department of General Services (DGS)

The California state agency responsible for managing state-owned properties and overseeing the new online portal for redeveloping surplus buildings.

Ana Lasso

The Director of the California Department of General Services, who stated the portal "modernizes engagement with developers and unlocks opportunities for job creation and economic growth."

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What they’re saying

“The new dashboard lists 19 surplus properties around the state, including 15 that are open for proposals and one already under agreement. It shifts the first round of applications to a simpler, rolling review that is meant to get viable concepts into the construction pipeline sooner.”

— The Sacramento Bee

What’s next

The state will review developer proposals submitted through the new online portal on a rolling basis, evaluating them against criteria like project feasibility and expected impact.

The takeaway

This streamlined approach to redeveloping surplus state properties could help accelerate the conversion of underutilized buildings into much-needed housing, jobs, and community-serving retail across California, if the state can keep the review process moving efficiently.