Key facts
- Samara has launched Locale by Samara, a new product line focused on small-scale single-family infill developments.
- The first project is located in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, and includes two homes, each with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU).
- Locale projects will typically consist of two to 10 homes designed to fit into existing neighborhoods.
- The company plans to develop these clusters in Sonoma, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Los Angeles counties.
- Samara aims to address California's housing shortage by building higher-quality, rightsized homes on compact lots in desirable areas.
Samara, a California-based builder recognized for its accessory dwelling unit (ADU) products, has introduced Locale by Samara, an expansion into small-scale single-family infill developments. This new initiative involves designing and constructing clusters of detached homes within established neighborhoods across Sonoma, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Los Angeles counties.
Each Locale development is planned to feature a small group of homes, typically ranging from two to 10 units, with designs intended to complement the surrounding streetscape. These homes will be precision-built using high-quality materials and designed to accommodate contemporary living patterns, including those of families and remote or hybrid workers.
Many of Samara's Locale projects are expected to leverage California's Starter Home Revitalization Act (SB 1123), a law designed to streamline approvals for subdividing eligible parcels to accommodate up to 10 small-footprint homes. Housing advocates and planners consider this legislation a significant supply-side measure for the state.
California jurisdictions are under pressure to meet state housing targets, especially in coastal areas with high job growth. Santa Clara County, for instance, requires over 100,000 new homes by 2031, yet saw fewer than 4,000 built in 2024, with a small fraction being detached single-family units. Local governments often face challenges in increasing single-family supply due to high land and construction costs, which tend to favor larger, more expensive homes.
Samara's model focuses on smaller infill clusters with higher-quality, rightsized homes on compact lots in high-demand areas, aiming to make them more accessible than traditional new construction. "Our homes are part of a movement to ensure California remains a place where families can dream about their futures," stated Mike McNamara, CEO and co-founder of Samara. "This expansion is about making more homes possible, closer to where people want to live, work, and build their lives."
The inaugural Locale project in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, comprises two single-family homes, each accompanied by an ADU. This design choice reflects a market preference for smaller, design-forward homes in prime locations over larger residences in more remote areas. McNamara emphasized that communities that cease building new housing risk population decline, which impacts schools and local businesses. Locale by Samara aims to introduce modest housing additions in built-out areas to prevent price growth and scarcity from displacing the households that sustain these communities.