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Mutual Housing California CEO Roberto Jiménez hailed Tuesday night’s passage of Propositions 1 and 2 on the California ballot that together will provide $6 billion in affordable housing construction for veterans, low-income people, and the homeless mentally ill.
Jiménez also strongly welcomed the verdict returned by Sacramento voters in favor of Measure U on the municipal ballot. The measure is expected to generate $100 million a year toward municipal services and programs. Local officials said one of their top spending priorities will be to build more affordable housing.
“California voters took a critical and historic first step forward tonight toward solving the state’s affordable housing crisis,” Jiménez said. “The $4 billion approved in the vote in favor of Proposition 1, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Act, will result in the construction of thousands of new affordable housing units across the state, including programs for farmworker housing and infill and transit-oriented development.
“By passing Proposition 2, state residents put their stamp of approval on perhaps the single-most important investment they’ve ever made to do something about homelessness in California by setting aside $2 billion in already-approved bond funds to build supportive housing for the unsheltered mentally ill.
“While state voters did their part to expand affordable housing construction, Sacramento city residents saw to it that they receive proper consideration when it comes to the allocation of the new investments. State housing bonds are usually awarded to local governments that are willing to share the cost of the new developments. By approving Measure U on Tuesday night, the city of Sacramento will be well-positioned to be rewarded when it applies for the affordable housing funds under Propositions 1 and 2.
“This is all terrific news for the working poor and other low-income people in Sacramento and up and down the state. The high cost of housing makes California the most poverty-stricken state in the country when supplemental factors beyond income are taken into consideration. Passage of the state ballot measures and Sacramento’s Measure U will help replenish the local affordable housing trust fund and help our local leaders act to meet this human need that is so vital for improving every other aspect of people’s lives such as health care, employment, education, and retirement security.
“We at the nonprofit Mutual Housing California intend to work as valuable partners with city, state, and other governmental leaders, to expand our portfolio of highly successful affordable housing communities. More than 3,600 people from diverse backgrounds now live – and thrive – at our 19 communities in Sacramento and Yolo counties. With their rents stabilized, our residents have enrolled themselves and their children in leadership, education, and civic engagement programs that have enriched not only their own lives but those of their neighbors in their wider communities. Already, we have obtained two sites for future affordable housing communities in Midtown and in unincorporated South Sacramento, and it is our hope to provide even more affordable housing communities throughout the greater Northern California region.”
Mutual Housing resident members shows their support for Proposition 1 and 2 at the campaign launch rally, August 27, 2018 in Capitol Park.