This week, CHC members will head to Washington DC to meet with key members of Republican and Democratic leadership. CHC will urge Congress to protect critical housing programs and tax incentives, such as the low income housing tax credit (LIHTC), CDBG, HOME and Section 8 grants, from new or expanded deficit reduction plans.

LIHTC is one of the most important and most successful affordable housing production programs across the country. In California, LIHTC generates approximately 15,000 housing units per year. The local impact of building these units includes over $1 billion in local income, $124 million in local taxes, and 18,000 local jobs each year.

If Congress does not include significant revenues in any sequestration replacement, this would force deep cuts to housing and community development programs essential to middle and lower income families and in key investments for future economic growth. The House-passed budget would cut these programs by 22% in 2014. In California, this amounts to over $28 million in CDBG and $10 million in HOME funds.

HCD Report Summary 

HCD released a report in August on the state of housing in California. Despite six years of decline in housing prices, the state still lacks an adequate supply and mix of housing in the right locations and affordable to families, the workforce, and special needs populations. Aggressive action to increase the supply and affordability of housing, to support the residential construction industry, and to preserve existing affordable housing stock are critical to supporting California's economic competitiveness and improving the quality of life for its residents.  

Click here to access the report. 

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California Homes and Jobs Act of 2013

CHC and Housing California have launched the California Homes and Jobs Act campaign! This new bill will produce $500 million per year in affordable homes. We invite you to visit the campaign website at www.californiahomesandjobsact.com and follow the campaign on Facebook. During the SB 1220 campaign, we increased our power and showed the impact of a broad and statewide campaign. Now, with more resources and more time on our side, we can finish what we started and win the funding we need in 2013.