Federal Reconciliation Bill Includes Key Affordable Housing Provisions 

In late May, the House of Representatives passed budget reconciliation tax legislation that includes key bipartisan low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) provisions, which would expand the program. The bill is now in the Senate.

Congress is currently attempting to pass an FY 25 budget through the reconciliation process, which enables major tax-and-spending legislation to be fast-tracked and bypass the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster rule with a simple majority. 

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by Jennifer LeSar

Founder and CEO

LeSar Portfolio of Firms

Governor’s May Revise Reflects Negative Fiscal Outlook, With Reversions and No New Funding

The Legislature is entering the midpoint of the year, and the focus turns to the budget, which must be adopted by June 15th.

Governor Newsom’s May Revise, which adjusted the Governor’s January budget proposal, was released on May 14 and reflected a more negative fiscal outlook due to increased economic uncertainty and potential federal policy changes. The revised budget proposes nearly $12B in budget actions to address an estimated $7.5B deficit and build up the state’s discretionary reserves by $4.5B. Unfortunately, housing and homelessness programs were hurt by the state’s fiscal challenges.

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by Holly Fraumeni de Jesus

Political Consultant

Lighthouse Public Affairs

Article Contributor: Jacqueline Woo

Senior Associate, Research & Policy

Global Policy Leadership Academy

Governor’s Reorganization of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing (BCSH) Agency Moves Forward

As California grapples with persistent challenges around housing, homelessness, and consumer trust, Governor Newsom unveiled his vision for change earlier this year. His proposal would split the California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency (BCSH) into two separate agencies.

Under the plan, a new California Housing and Homelessness Agency (CHHA) would be established, focusing entirely on addressing the state’s deep-rooted housing crisis. Meanwhile, a separate agency would take charge of consumer services and business oversight, aiming to create more efficient, transparent government interactions for Californians. 

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by Holly Fraumeni de Jesus

Political Consultant

Lighthouse Public Affairs

Article Contributor: Jacqueline Woo

Senior Associate, Research & Policy

Global Policy Leadership Academy

“We Are Trying to Evolve and Change the System”: An Interview with Dr. Susan Eggman on the Behavioral Health Services Program

In early May, Governor Newsom announced $3.3B in Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure (BHCIP) grant funding for 124 projects across the state, accounting for 213 mental health and/or substance use disorder (SUD) facilities.

This funding is part of Proposition 1, the Behavioral Health Services Program and Bond Measure, passed in early 2024. Proposition 1 restructures how individuals who are living on the street and suffering from mental illness can receive care, expands the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and renames it to the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), and funds housing for people experiencing homelessness and those with mental health and substance use disorders. 

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by Pamela Kestner

Chief of Staff

Global Policy Leadership Academy

Article Contributor: Jacqueline Woo

Senior Associate, Research & Policy

Global Policy Leadership Academy

Global Policy Leadership Academy’s Regional Housing Finance Authority Forum Complements San Diego’s Emerging Efforts

In March, San Diego Unified School District (SD Unified) introduced a resolution to establish a Regional Housing Finance Authority (RHFA) with the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) in accordance with SB 440 (Skinner, 2024), which authorizes the establishment of RHFAs by local governments.

As San Diego’s emerging effort gets underway, stakeholders can gain insights into the potential of RHFAs and learn from efforts in the Bay Area and Los Angeles through Global Policy Leadership Academy’s (GPLA) Policy Forum: The Emerging Role of Regional Housing Finance Authorities for Addressing California’s Housing Crisis. 

If your region is in the process of creating a regional housing finance agency under the new SB 440 provisions, please let us know so that we might highlight your work.

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Participate in the RHFA Forum

Tuesday, June 24 12 – 2pm on Zoom