• Establishing a permanent source of funding for affordable housing by placing a small fee on real estate transaction documents, which would generate 29,000 jobs for every $500 million
• Increasing the state's Low Income Housing Tax Credit by $300 million, which is expected to leverage approximately $600 million in new federal resources, leading to the creation of thousands of new affordable homes and jobs
• Legislation to create a framework for how California will spend any funds received from the National Housing Trust Fund that are expected to flow to states in 2016
• Using a portion of the Proposition 47 funds to reduce recidivism through investment in rapid rehousing and housing supports for formerly incarcerated Californians

 

CHC Executive Director Ray Pearl and Boardmembers Linda Mandolini and Robin Hughes participated in the press conference located at member company Meta Housing's Chinatown Metro Apartment in Los Angeles.

 

What People Are Saying:

 

"The low income housing tax credit is a critical driving force for economic development and housing production for low- and moderate-income families in California. The expansion of the state tax credit will stimulate job growth, leverage additional private and public investment, and help build much-needed housing. We thank the Speaker for her strong leadership on this crucial housing package." -Ray Pearl, Executive Director, California Housing Consortium

 

"Success and opportunity begin with having an affordable place to call home. Housing California is grateful for the leadership of Speaker Atkins and we look forward to supporting critically needed policies that address California's widespread poverty by creating more housing options, especially for those priced out of the rental market." -Shamus Roller, Executive Director, Housing CA

"The California Building Industry Association is proud to stand with Speaker Atkins today in support of her comprehensive housing policy proposals. We look forward to working closely with the Speaker to ensure that all California families have access to safe and secure shelter and an opportunity to achieve the American dream of homeownership." -Eileen Reynolds, Chair, California Building Industry Association

 

Please join the California Housing Consortium in Sacramento for our annual Advocacy Day on March 10.

 

We are trying a new format this year that we hope will allow for more direct time with legislators and staff. We will spend the day discussing current issues and legislative strategy, spending time with legislative and agency staff to discuss our shared agenda, and meeting with key senate and assembly committee members.

We invite you to nominate candidates for this year's Housing Hall of Fame ceremony to be held on May 13, 2015 in Santa Monica. CHC annually recognizes heroes in the affordable housing field by gauging leadership characteristics such as innovation, effectiveness, inclusiveness, impact, tenure, collaborative spirit and inspirational records of service.

 

Click here to complete your nomination form now

  

Please submit your nominations by March 6th.

 

 

Blighted vacant lots surrounded by chain link fences have been transformed into new affordable apartments for very low-income seniors and families that are revitalizing the Logan Heights community of the City of San Diego.

 

HUD Secretary Julian Castro-middle right, Congressman Juan Vargas-far right of Castro, San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria-left of Castro, SDHC President/CEO Richard Gentry-far left

"This is truly a model of what we like to see in communities across the United States," U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro said after he toured COMM22, a San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) partnership affordable rental housing development, on Friday, February 20.

 

Secretary Castro toured COMM22 at the invitation of U.S. Representative Juan Vargas, 51st District, who hosted the tour with SDHC President & CEO Richard C. Gentry. HUD Western Regional Administrator Ophelia Basgal joined Secretary Castro on the tour.

 

COMM22 Apts with retail space

COMM22 is a 200-unit family and senior citizen affordable rental housing development in three separate buildings near bus and trolley lines, in which $8.9 million in HUD federal funds were invested in the development of the 70-unit senior complex.

 

The apartments at COMM22 will remain affordable for 55 years.

 

COMM22 was developed by BRIDGE Housing Corporation (BRIDGE) and Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty (MAAC). BRIDGE President & CEO Cynthia Parker and MAAC President & CEO Arnulfo Manriquez also participated in the tour.

 

The 130-unit family complex includes a private courtyard with a playground for children. The 70-unit senior complex for tenants age 62 and older includes ground-floor space for a child care facility, with a play area outside, as well as tables for senior residents to play board games, an indoor library and a community room.

 

After the tour of COMM22, Secretary Castro, also spoke at the National Alliance to End Homelessness' National Conference on Ending Family and Youth Homelessness, held in San Diego.

 

"We must never accept homelessness as part of American life, and if we all do our part, we'll never have to," Secretary Castro said at the conference.

 

SDHC President & CEO Gentry participated as a panelist at one of the workshops at the conference and joined Secretary Castro at the luncheon where he spoke.