California sues city of Elk Grove after SHA blows whistle on rejected affordable housing!

May is Affordable Housing Month, and we've already got a lot to be excited about here in Sacramento!

SHA knows solving our region’s unprecedented affordable housing and homelessness crisis requires local governments to rise to the challenge and both comply with existing laws and facilitate new affordable and permanent supportive housing. Sadly, the city of Elk Grove recently denied the development of a critically needed permanent supportive housing community that would have provided 66 safe, stable and affordable units to formerly homeless individuals. 

Elk Grove's decision wasn't just immoral; it was also illegal. City officials violated state law prohibiting discriminatory land use practices and their duty to affirmatively further fair housing. That's why SHA filed a complaint to the State Department of Housing and Community Development, which got the ball rolling toward today's historic announcement.

"Every person who wants to prevent and reduce homelessness in California should be fighting for more affordable housing,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “We are thankful for advocacy groups like the Sacramento Housing Alliance that both support cities and counties in doing the right things, and raise flags when they aren’t, like in the case of Elk Grove. Together we can build a California where every person has the opportunity for a place to call home.”

“We are so excited about the potential outcome of getting 66 desperately needed permanent supportive homes online for formerly homeless individuals," said SHA Board President Cathy Creswell. "The crisis is too desperate and literally people are dying on our streets. We are so grateful to HCD and the attorney general for their leadership and aggressive efforts to hold local governments accountable.”

[Read the full statement from Governor Gavin Newsom here]

Sonrisa affordable housing project opens in downtown Sacramento

The Capitol Area Development Authority celebrated its newest affordable housing development last month with the grand opening of Sonrisa. This complex, located in downtown Sacramento on 13th and O streets, brings 58 new units--all of them affordable--to the city's central grid.

The Sonrisa development is a prime example of how state and local governments can work together to build housing for low-income residents on state surplus land. Two similar projects are already underway--one at 805 R Street downtown, and the other on Arden Way in North Sacramento. [Learn more about Sonrisa here!]

Support SIWD's amendments to the proposed Community Benefits Agreement Ordinance

Our partners at SIWD are calling for Mayor Steinberg, Sacramento City Council, and City Manager Howard Chan to incorporate amendments to the Community Benefits Agreement Ordinance that would further protect Sacramento residents from displacement.

We're asking all of our allies to join SIWD by signing their letter of support.

[Sign the letter here]

Mercy Pedalers showcased on the Kelly Clarkson show

Sacramento's very own Sister Libby Fernandez joined the Kelly Clarkson Show recently to discuss her work with Mercy Pedalers, a nonprofit dedicated to reaching out to our unhoused neighbors and providing them with water, food, and other vital resources.

Mercy Pedalers is a ministry of presence and action based on the “works of mercy" while emphasizing the concept of "welcoming the stranger."

[Watch the full clip here]

Contribute early for the Big Day of Giving!

The Big Day of Giving is upon us, and you can donate early before the big Thursday launch. Help us reach our goal of $10,000 with an early gift today! [Read our full Big DOG call to action here]

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