As I think about this year, I’m astounded by how much CHC accomplished in a short amount of time. The adage “the days are long, but the years are short” comes to mind. Over many months, our CHC members put in countless hours and dollars into two statewide campaigns all in the name of ensuring more Californians have a safe place to call home.

Let me say once again how proud and grateful I am to each of you for getting Prop 1 and Prop 2 passed in November. As we move forward to the next stage of the state selling these housing bonds, and as we eagerly prepare to utilize that money to build affordable housing for veterans, working families, people with disabilities and Californians experiencing homelessness, let us not forget the remarkable achievement of securing this investment.

We also are ever mindful of the continued work ahead and the shortage of affordable homes for low-income families and seniors. Recent wildfires in both Northern and Southern California magnify the crisis once more for the public and policymakers. And I know for many of us, the recent fires hit close to home. For my family, who was fortunate to have family nearby to stay with when the Woolsey fire forced evacuations across San Fernando Valley, the temporary displacement was just a glimpse into how much a home means. To think that thousands of children, parents, seniors and veterans live daily without a permanent home and still go to work and school is heartbreaking.

We’ve seen recent news coverage aptly point to the immense pressure communities now face with so many more people without a safe home, and in areas where vacancy rates already hovered at just 1 to 2 percent. And it is clear temporary housing will never be the answer. As a local provider in Chico shared: “We know we’re already short shelter beds, but shelter beds are a vehicle through which you get people into permanent housing,” said Laura Cootsona who runs a homeless shelter. “You can build more shelter beds, but if there’s no path out, then that is just a Band-Aid.”

I know it will be CHC who shapes that “path out” and identifies the creative solutions Governor-Elect Gavin Newsom and legislators need in 2019 as they try to meet ambitious goals to build 3.5 million units and push strategic legislation to build more affordable housing – to provide low-income children, families and seniors the safe, secure home every Californian deserves.

Thank you for your steadfast commitment to CHC and our collective work. Everyone at CHC wishes you a happy holiday season!

Sincerely,

Ray Pearl
CHC Executive Director