The United Voice for Affordable Housing 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

At a press conference on February 13th, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), joined by co-sponsor CHC and other housing advocates, announced the introduction of SB 423, a bill to extend and strengthen SB 35's streamlining provisions. Among other things, the bill will remove the sunset on SB 35 (Wiener) which has an expiration date at the end of 2025. To read the press release click here.

Earlier this week, the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee held an informational hearing on the Review of Housing and Homelessness Programs in California. CHC boardmember and President of Eden Housing, Linda Mandolini, discussed issues she has faced in recent years such as having housing projects stuck in pre-development due to a lack of funding.

Also this week Housing Committee Chairs Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblymember Buffy Wicks held a Joint Hearing on Assembly Housing and Community Development and Senate Housing. CHC board chair and CEO of Related California NorCal Affordable and Northwest Division, Ann Silverberg, shared with legislators the need to extend the sunset on SB 35 through SB 423. She urged legislators to focus more on increasing financing sources for developments that get bottle-necked at the financing stage. 

The Merritt Scholars Program is accepting applications starting now until April 17th. This program serves as an entry point into the affordable housing industry, allowing students the ability to learn about the many career and development opportunities.

LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP

This year, CHC is tracking several affordable housing bills including:

• ACA 1 (Wicks) seeks to lower the local vote threshold for local construction bonds and special taxes from the current two-thirds vote to a 55% majority vote – SUPPORT

• AB 84 (Ward) will make critical updates to the affordable housing welfare tax exemption – SUPPORT

• AB 346 (Quirk-Silva) (re-introduction of AB 1288 from last year) will make critical modifications to the process to certificate state LIHTCs and make the rulemaking process for CDLAC mirror that of TCAC – SUPPORT

• AB 519 (Pilar-Schiavo) will create a working group to develop a consolidated application for the purpose of obtaining financing and developing a coordinated review process for the application.

• AB 578 (Berman) will cap the .42% interest payments that covers monitoring costs at $150 per unit per year adjusted for inflation.

• AB 1053 (Gabriel) will authorize HCD to provide funding at construction.

• AB 1656 (Wicks) will establish an ongoing funding source to address the state's homelessness crisis.

• AB 1657 (Wicks) will enact the Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2024, which would authorize the issuance of bonds to fund affordable rental housing and homeownership programs.

• SB 4 (Wiener) will encourage the development of affordable housing on land owned by faith-based institutions and non-profit colleges – SUPPORT

• SB 225 (Caballero) will establish the Community Anti-Displacement Preservation Program (CAPP) to provide revolving short-term acquisition capital and long-term public subsidy to acquire unsubsidized affordable homes and preserve them as permanently affordable.

• SB 423 (Wiener) will extend and strengthen SB 35's streamlining provisions and remove the sunset on SB 35 (Wiener) – SPONSOR

• SB 482 (Blakespeare) will require that HCD offer capitalized operating reserves to supportive housing units developed under the Multifamily Housing Program.

SAVE THE DATE!

CHC's 2023 Policy Forum &

CA Housing Hall of Fame Awards

September 7, 2023

Anaheim, CA

Thanks to our Title Sponsor Sponsor, Merritt Community Capital!

Contact Nancy Martin for sponsorship opportunities.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEWS OF THE MONTH

Cities across California have adopted big new affordable housing plans. Now comes the hard part. (Marina Wiant article, Western City Magazine)

California is desperate for affordable housing. How union conflicts are delaying it. (Sacramento Bee)

One of skid row’s largest housing providers faces financial implosion (Los Angeles Times)

Huntington Beach vows to continue housing fight, despite state warnings (Los Angeles Times)

Editorials:

• 'Skilled and trained': How a labor battle over three words could sabotage California's housing efforts (San Francisco Chronicle)

• Skid Row Housing Trust’s downfall is a teachable moment for L.A., not a reason to give up (Los Angeles Times)

• A rich NIMBY city brought out the big political guns to avoid new housing. Did it work? (San Francisco Chronicle)

FEDERAL UPDATE FROM DAVID GASSON

Coming off a great three-day trip to Washington DC, I felt energized and enthusiastic about prospects for affordable housing legislation. No matter the office we visited, Democratic, Republican, the House physician (I needed a band-aid) or the White House, we found enthusiasm for affordable housing and the LIHTC. For those of us that work in and advocate for affordable housing, we know the depth of the crisis across the country but hearing that reality recited back to us from congressional staff and Members was, I dare say, affirming.  

What was actually amazing about these conversations was the lack of mention of the political challenges confronting any real legislative exercise to address these and other pressing economic priorities. We know it is going to be difficult but to know that Members of both parties are eager to work on legislation does give one a sense of hope that the current Congress may not be a policy black-hole.

I am also heartened by the administration’s determination to see progress on affordable housing issues. An industry working group has convened to work on a list of regulatory issues that might be presented to the administration for their consideration. This includes several provisions currently included in the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act. The administration is also very focused on programs that were passed within the Inflation Reduction Act (Page 105) that could provide resources to affordable housing developments for green infrastructure, appliances and materials. They are very eager to have the industry take advantage of these programs.

CHC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

CHC Member: Affirmed Housing

Project Name: The Orchard at Hilltop

Location: San Diego, California

Units: 113 units, 30-60% AMI

Opening Date: February 2023

State & Federal Financing Sources: 

• $27.8 million in Tax-Exempt Bonds
• $3.4 million in taxable bonds
• $4.3 million in HOME Investment Partnership Grant Funds

The Orchard at Hilltop is a mixed-use, infill development that enriches the Chollas View community with street and pedestrian public improvements, a hospitality venue, and a renewed storm water channel that creates a natural wildlife habitat.

“A severe shortage of affordable housing continues to plague so many of our hard-working residents. The Orchard at Hilltop is a great example of how to tackle our housing and homelessness crisis -- demonstrating what’s possible when we work with community-minded partners like Affirmed Housing,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “Not only have they delivered a beautiful complex that residents can be proud to call home; they have also revitalized an entire swath of land that paves way for new opportunities and new beginnings for many more San Diegans."