{"id":725,"date":"2019-06-08T09:50:00","date_gmt":"2019-06-08T09:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mutualhousing.com\/blog\/?p=725"},"modified":"2022-09-23T09:56:16","modified_gmt":"2022-09-23T09:56:16","slug":"mutual-housing-helps-move-mayors-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mutualhousing.com\/blog\/2019\/06\/08\/mutual-housing-helps-move-mayors-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"MUTUAL HOUSING HELPS MOVE MAYOR\u2019S PLAN"},"content":{"rendered":"

Council votes 8-1 for bond<\/i><\/h2>\n

that includes $100 million<\/i><\/h2>\n

for affordable housing<\/i><\/h2>\n

Mutual Housing California Board President Cathy Creswell and four other Mutual Housing officials and residents testified at a public hearing June 4 to help convince the Sacramento City Council to approve a new “inclusive economic development framework” that includes a goal of $100 million for affordable housing.<\/p>\n

The council voted 8-1 to approve what Mayor Darrell Steinberg called “a once in a lifetime opportunity” for the city to not only finance significant new affordable housing projects, but also to create jobs, revitalize underserved neighborhoods and commercial corridors, fund workforce development, help small businesses, empower youth, bolster the arts and improve transportation safety.<\/p>\n

Last year’s passage of Measure U by city voters by a margin of 57-43 percent gave the city an added $50 million a year in sales tax revenues to help finance these critical programs that have long been shortchanged during bad budget times. With controls in place to guarantee fiscal prudency, the new revenues will help fund a much-needed capital investment program that includes $100 million for housing bonds over the next two fiscal years. These funds are vital for the city to leverage the $6 billion in state bond funds for affordable housing programs that California voters approved last year.<\/p>\n

Steinberg said in a memorandum to the City Council that the Measure U Community Advisory Committee would play a “significant role” in providing oversight and recommendations on the newly-created Economic Opportunity Fund and the one-time Capital Funding program, both of which were made possible by last year’s vote by city residents.<\/p>\n

Here is the testimony that the Mutual Housing team delivered at the June 4 hearing:<\/p>\n

Board President Cathy Creswell<\/b>: “We support the budget’s investment in neighborhoods that for too long have been neglected. But if the city cares about equity and inclusion and inclusive economic development, we must also ensure that all families and communities have adequate, safe and accessible affordable homes. Affordable homes are the platform for accessing jobs and improving educational and health outcomes, and most regulated, subsidized, affordable homes support those outcomes. Investments in affordable homes are meaningful investments in families and communities yet the budget still does not include an explicit commitment to funding this year. We urge the council to make an immediate commitment to Council Member Hansen’s proposal and authorize $100 million in bonds to produce more affordable homes. Bonds are prudent investments that continue to provide benefits long after the bonds have been paid off. While bonds are paid off in 30 years, the city receives 55 years of regulated, affordable homes. And we risk losing state affordable housing funding if we don’t make this investment now. Our families and neighborhoods can’t wait and they shouldn’t have to.”<\/p>\n

Director of Housing Development Holly Wunder Stiles<\/b>: “I’m here today to reiterate the urgency in giving the council the authority to issue housing bonds. Needless to say, this is not the time for business as usual. Urgency is important, because the housing crisis is affecting Sacramento today. I want to let you know that Mutual Housing California is currently planning three new development projects that will create more than 250 new affordable homes in the City of Sacramento. One you know about: Lavender Courtyard. For all three of these projects we are asking the city to assist us in being ready within the next year to apply for state funding. It is only with local commitments that we will be competitive. Help us maximize our ability to bring state funds to Sacramento. Help us seize this moment for creating affordable housing in the community. There is no time for delay.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Manager of Community Organizing Alexandra Alvarado<\/b>: “I’m here to urge that the City Council is given authority to issue bonds for affordable housing this year. Housing is a large topic that encompasses many aspects and is a controversial topic. But it doesn’t have to be. Our community and neighbors need affordable housing now. They needed it years ago. I ask that we work together to amplify the understanding that a safe, affordable and stable home encourages personal development and future generations. It’s important that we do not wait. By issuing the bonds for affordable housing this year, we can start building homes now.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Mutual Housing on the Greenway Resident Andrea Noble<\/b>: “I’m here to talk about affordable housing. I live in affordable housing. I live with my ex-mother-in-law, a roommate, my granddaughter and my daughter, and we’ve been there in a stable, clean and safe environment. Not everyone has a home – the kids on the street, there’s people on the street, and we are just asking that we also put money for affordable housing when it creates a base where people can build their lives, and we urge you to all act now on our housing crisis, and put money where it needs to be. Kids need a home to start, period.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Mutual Housing at Norwood Resident Verna Ekpeduma<\/b>: “I’m a resident of Mutual Housing at Norwood in District 2, and we see a need to hurry on the bonds, and please don’t slow down. Thousands of people are still waiting for affordable housing. We have a huge homeless state of emergency. And the true solution to the homelessness is affordable housing. We put more money into prisons than for homes (for people) to truly call their own. I am here to urge that the City Council is given the authority to issue bonds for affordable housing now, because we have the opportunity to start housing people who need it desperately, now. Remember, by the people, for the people. Please be for affordable housing, for the people, now.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Council votes 8-1 for bond that includes $100 million for affordable housing Mutual Housing California Board President Cathy Creswell and four other Mutual Housing officials and residents testified at a public hearing June 4 to help convince the Sacramento City Council to approve a new “inclusive economic development framework” that includes a goal of $100… <\/p>\n

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