CHC Opposes AB2818

UPDATE: 7/25/2008: Due to recent developments in Sacramento, CHC has come out in opposition to the Housing Authority Dispositions Bill (AB2818). Please see the official letter of opposition in the attachments.

Following on last week’s monthly CHC Policy Leadership Taskforce conference call where we discussed a number of current bills wending their way through the legislature, we wanted to provide the attached status update.  Among the good news is that TOD and Infill funding for Round 1 will be augmented by $150MM if today’s vote in the Assembly (and yesterday’s in the Senate) results in the Governor’s signing AB1252 next Tuesday, July 1st as expected; it is also promising to see that the new incarnation of Sen. Ducheny’s Land Use Bill SB303 has apparently achieved support of both builders and local government resulting in approval this week in the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee.

At the same time, we are concerned that the Housing Authority Dispositions Bill (AB2818) also passed out of committee this week; this measure would create new procedures for housing authorities that will result in a rash of unintended consequences; as Carol Galante (BRIDGE Housing) and Chris Gouig (Alameda County Housing Authority) reported on last week’s call, the measure has never been vetted with housing authorities and despite the urging of CHC and others to ‘hold for study’ the measure appears to have legs.  CHC will continue to call for proper deliberation that incorporates all of the key interest groups. 

Finally, on the federal housing policy front, the Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (HR 3221) is at a critical stage this week where late amendments to strike the proposed national housing trust fund as well as $4 billion in ‘neighborhood stabilization’ funds are being wrestled to the floor. CHC is on record urging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to reject such amendments and help pass this important piece of federal housing funding legislation.

As always, we welcome your input and will continue to keep you apprised of developments both in Sacramento and Washington.