As the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) appropriately identified, low-income housing funds are intended to maintain and increase affordable housing by acquiring property, rehabilitating or constructing buildings, providing subsidies for low- and moderate income households, or preserving public subsidized housing units at risk of conversion to market rates. Housing California estimates that more than 12,000 affordable homes throughout the state are in jeopardy if the Legislature and Governor do not fulfill their promise to use the remaining $1.4 billion in redevelopment assets to build affordable homes. Of these units, 303 are in the Sacramento region. These homes help move people from homelessness, provide independence for people disabilities, and ensure stability for families and seniors. Additionally, building these homes would produce over nearly 700 jobs in the Sacramento region.

The Governor’s proposal does not address the increase in homelessness, especially amongst the most vulnerable in our communtiy. Sadly, in Sacramento, the number of homeless students K-12th grade has risen from 6,000 to 9,000 in the past year and the Governor’s proposed budget while claiming to help education – would ensure that these students will have no home in which to do their homework. Finally, the Governor is proposing a continued shredding of the remaining safety net for low-income individuals, children, seniors and people with disabilities, by proposing deep cuts to Medi-Cal, In-Home Supportive Services and CalWorks. The most vulnerable residents in the region will be hit the hardest.

We call on our Sacramento leaders, including Senator Steinberg, Assemblymembers Dickinson and Pan, to resist the legacy of past budget solutions of balancing the budget on the backs the most vulnerable in but instead to find a middle ground. Low income housing funds produce homes, create jobs and are a part of an economic development tool that will help put our economy back on track.