There is no doubt that emotions around last Tuesday’s election are still running high, and there are likely still difficult conversations coming over Thanksgiving dinner tables. As business people with a social justice mission, I urge the affordable housing community to look at the election with a dual lens: how the outcome of the election could threaten our ability to build homes for vulnerable Californians on one hand, and where there are new opportunities to strengthen our drive to increase access to housing on the other.
I’ve already received many questions about what a Trump Administration’s priorities will be for federal housing programs that underpin our work in California. Some of those early concerns focus on tax reform, LIHTC survival, Section 8, Home and CDBG to name a few. CHC will be vigilant in monitoring potential impacts on affordable home development for California communities and we will coordinate our federal advocacy with those already positioned to play an important role in DC. California’s voice MUST be heard, now more than ever, in our nation’s capital.
Under the State Capitol dome, we’ve made significant progress educating legislators about the housing affordability crisis, and we had strong indications from leaders to bring solutions to the table in the coming legislative cycle. CHC’s challenge will be to keep housing solutions at the forefront as leaders are pressed to respond to federal threats on healthcare, climate change and immigration.
While there is reason for concern, there is also reason to be cautiously optimistic. At the local and regional level, voters committed new resources to the tune of approximately $4 billion to address local housing challenges and alleviate homelessness, building on the momentum created at the state level. Additionally, the California Forward Housing Action Team I co-chair continues to have tremendous energy from business, local government, social justice, environmental, labor and development interests, aligned in pursuit of one million new homes for Californians.
We definitely have our work cut out for us in the new year. CHC remains a resource to you in evaluating the threats and opportunities on the horizon. Please continue to engage with us as we work to ensure every Californian has a safe, affordable place to call home.
Sincerely,
Ray Pearl
CHC Executive Director
