Housing California Urges State Legislators To Fund Affordable Housing

The fight is on to convince state leaders that the funding of affordable housing should be included in the ground-breaking infrastructure bond being considered.

Housing California, a state-wide advocacy coalition in support of housing for all Californians, is leading the charge. They were in Sacramento pitching their cause.

Here is what they have to say:
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(Sacramento, CA) — On Wednesday, Jan 25, Julie Snyder, policy director for Housing California, testified before the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee on the need to fund affordable homes in the infrastructure bonds under debate by the legislature. Snyder argued that housing, like streets and sidewalks, is essential infrastructure and requires state investment.

Snyder gave three reasons for funding homes like we fund schools and streets:

1. Homes affect every aspect of Californians’ lives. School performance, family time and economic security are all improved with a safe, affordable home.

2. Home construction impacts spending on other infrastructure: Where homes are built helps dictate Californian’s transportation demands in particular.

3. Housing infrastructure, or the lack thereof, impacts our business climate. To attract a talented workforce, businesses need affordable apartments and for-sale homes.

“The state should invest in affordable homes like it invests in schools, streets and water systems,” Snyder said. “Homes are a key piece of our state’s infrastructure that create opportunities for better lives, improve our business climate and stretch transportation dollars.”

Download Snyder's full testimony from their website.