We are expecting a great turnout in Santa Monica May 26 for the annual CHC Policy Forum and Housing Hall of Fame Awards.

 

Former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, who now co-chairs the nonpartisan, nonprofit group California Forward, will deliver the keynote, followed by a debate on how can we best continue affordable housing production in the current environment of dwindling government resources and declining subsidies. Our panel will debate a provocative proposed resolution examining potential solutions, including consolidation, for the state's affordable housing delivery system.

Early registration ends May 11, so be sure and register TODAY!

CHC continues to monitor two RDA reform bills currently moving through the Legislature.

SB 286, by Sen. Roderick Wright, D-Inglewood, would impose changes to increase accountability, limit the size and scope of redevelopment in the state, and allow school districts to retain more property taxes in new redevelopment project areas. Currently, schools receive only a portion of that.

While this bill was held in committee last week, the reforms contained in SB 286 may still end up being a part of the budget discussions

SB 450, by Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, would change aspects of how agencies spend the 20 percent of property taxes they collect to pay for affordable housing.

The amended bill would cap housing department planning and administrative costs at 15 percent, limit the ability to hold property for long periods of time without developing it, and shift more money to housing units for extremely low-income people.

That bill was put on hold Monday and must be addressed again by the appropriations committee by May 27.

Currently, any bill with fiscal implications is suspended pending Gov. Brown's revised budget.  CHC will continue to monitor the bills' progress after next week.  Stay tuned!