Policy Updates

✧Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 1✧

HLC would like to take this opportunity to say “THANK YOU” to Assemblymember Papan, Assemblymember Ting, Assemblymember Berman, Senator Becker, and Senator Wiener for their leadership in the legislature and for their support of ACA 1! 

Having passed out of the Senate on 9/14, ACA 1 will now head to the November 2024 ballot - giving voters a chance to empower local communities to address their housing and infrastructure needs.

As a quick refresher: the regional BAHFA bond will generate $10-20 billion for the protection of at-risk renters and the creation and preservation of affordable homes throughout the Bay Area. Just like any bond in CA, there is a ⅔ voter threshold for it to pass. Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1 lowers the local vote threshold for local bond and special tax measures on housing from two-thirds to 55%. A two-thirds vote is simply unattainable in many communities that are in desperate need of local investment in affordable housing and housing-supportive infrastructure. More importantly, if ACA  is approved by voters in the November 2024 election, it will apply to the BAHFA bond!

Finally, we would like to thank everyone who took the time to contact your leaders in the state legislature. Because of your advocacy, we now have an opportunity to remove one of the biggest barriers in regard to funding the creation of affordable homes throughout our state.

✧Measure K Updates✧

At the October 3 Board of Supervisors meeting, the County will hold a study session to introduce the Measure K update. Over the next 8-9 months, Measure K will undergo a complete reallocation. In the 2021-2022 fiscal year, Measure K raised approximately $110 million, so we have a big opportunity to get more funding for affordable homes. 

The October 3 meeting is just a steady session to be followed up with a decision-making meeting on October 17. 

In preparation for the meeting, HLC has prepared a set of Measure K talking points. BoS meetings usually happen in the middle of the day, so knowing when to comment can be tricky. However, with HLC’s meeting alerts, you can get a notification when it’s time to comment! We hope to see you at the October 3 BoS meeting.

✧Bay Area Housing Finance Authority - Regional Bond✧

Support Funding for Affordable Homes!

It’s not too late for you and your organization to endorse the nine-county Bay Area affordable housing bond!

Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) was established by the California State Legislature in 2019 to come up with and implement region-wide solutions to the Bay Area’s affordable housing issues and raise funding for affordable housing across all nine counties. Its focus is rooted in the “3P’s” of affordable housing. These are:

• Protection for current residents to prevent displacement
• Preservation of existing homes affordable to lower- and middle-income community members
• Production of new (especially affordable) homes at all income levels 

Many of our cities and counties in the Bay Area address their housing needs individually, usually with limited to no staff and financial resources. BAHFA’s success is important because it takes a more regional approach through coordination and provides access to funds and resources -- it helps create a level playing field among all 101 cities and 9 counties in the Bay Area.  

For San Mateo County, the Bay Area affordable housing bond will generate $1 billion for the protection of at-risk renters and the creation and preservation of affordable homes, but it won’t happen without your support. Please pass this along AND sign on to support Affordable Housing funding HERE! 

If you have any questions, please direct them to kchan@hlcsmc.org! 

Housing Elements Review

As jurisdictions across San Mateo County continue working on housing element certification, we wanted to share a temperature check to show what draft jurisdictions are working on. The majority are on their third or fourth draft. 

Jurisdictions highlighted in green have already been certified by the state. Just two–Redwood City and Brisbane–have been deemed in compliance with state law.

As jurisdictions continue to work on their drafts, they would do well to remember that housing elements are about policy change. All of the elaborate research that makes up a housing element–of local housing need, the governmental constraints to meet that need, and the fair housing implications of the city’s policy choices–are supposed to lead to policy outcomes that respond to what the city learns. The analyses alone cannot make a housing element comply with state law, only appropriate policy change can.

HLC continues to comment on local jurisdictions’ housing elements with policy recommendations to create great housing plans and increase the likelihood of legal compliance. You can see copies of all of our formal letters HERE to learn about best practices for housing element policy.

Housing Leadership Day 

✧Sponsorships✧

Great news! The Sponsorship Deadline has been extended to this Friday, 9/29! Be sure to meet the moment and become a sponsor for Housing Leadership Day! Join us in creating a powerful platform for housing advocates, policymakers, and community leaders to drive positive change. Your support will fuel impactful workshops, honor exceptional leaders, and champion innovation in the housing sector. Together, we can shape a brighter tomorrow in housing leadership.  

✧Housing Leadership Day Awardee✧

This year, we are thrilled to unveil multiple awardees for our prestigious Housing Hero Award. The awardees are Peggy Jensen, Betsy Zobell, Maurice Goodman, Angelina Cahalan, and Karen Camacho. These outstanding individuals have truly redefined housing advocacy and community development, leaving an enduring, positive impact.

✧Workshops✧

We are thrilled to share that due to the tremendous response we received; we will be hosting three sessions, each filled with eight engaging workshops! Check out below to see this year's lineup!

Opportunities

✧Listen to the new Podcast Bay the Bay Episode, Featuring HLC’s Jeremy Levine✧ 

On August 17, Podcast By The Bay, hosted by Foster City city council member Patrick Sullivan, sat down with HLC’s very own Policy Manager, Jeremy Levine. Jeremy discusses a number of important takes on our current housing issues, including defining the housing crisis, exclusionary housing and zoning, and even rent control. He also brings some insight into some of his passions outside of housing.

Find the episode wherever you listen to podcasts at https://www.baycitycommunications.com/podcastbythebay.

✧Creating Equitable Housing Solutions through Community Involvement✧ 

Wednesday, October 18, 12:30 pm

Check out this event from our friends at the Partnership for the Bay's Future & SPUR and tune in to see HLC’s Kiana on the panel 

Explore the critical role that community involvement plays in the creation and implementation of policies for equitable housing solutions. Too often, decisions about housing are made without sufficient input from the communities they will impact, exacerbating existing inequalities and failing to meet the needs of the intended beneficiaries. Collaborating with the community will provide insights from lived experience, develop trust between the community and government, and is a step towards redressing historical and ongoing inequities in housing. The panel will examine the best practices for engaging the community and identify obstacles communities and policymakers face.

Register Today!

✧Nonprofit Office Space Available in Daly City✧ 

Sweeney Lane is a 51-unit multifamily housing development at 6800 Mission Boulevard in Daly City. The available space is 2,230 square feet on the ground floor, with a separate entrance and 4 dedicated parking spaces. The site is a 15-minute walk from the Daly City Bart Station, with a bus stop across the street with many neighboring businesses.

The space is currently a core and cold shell, meaning the interior does not have furnishings, fixtures, or built-out bathrooms. Funds are available to assist with the build-out of the space, which can be tailored to specific needs. 

For more information, contact Serena Ip, at sip@midpen-housing.org