This week in affordable housing news…:

State Update:

• SB 423 (Wiener), CHC’s co-sponsored bill to extend the sunset on SB 35, advanced out of the Senate Housing Committee this week with a 9-1 vote. The bill passed after a strong showing by supporters including the California Conference of Carpenters and a robust discussion amongst committee members about the bill’s labor and affordability provisions. SB 423 moves next to the Senate Governance and Finance Committee. Please submit a support letter on behalf of your organization before April 13^th! Sample support letter available here.

• Seven in 10 Californians say housing affordability is a “big problem” in their part of the state, according to a new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California—the highest level recorded by the survey since it began asking the question almost two decades ago. These views are widely held across regions and among demographic groups, as well as among political parties: 72% of Republicans and Democrats agree, as do 75% of independents. The poll finds almost half of Californians (45%) say housing costs have made them seriously consider moving from their part of the state—with three-quarters of this group saying they would move outside the state. The full PPIC poll is available here.

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ICYMI – Top news stories:
Prescription for housing? California wants Medicaid to cover 6 months of rent
Los Angeles Times
Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose administration is struggling to contain a worsening homelessness crisis despite record spending, is trying something bold: tapping federal healthcare funding to cover rent for homeless people and those at risk of losing their housing. States are barred from using federal Medicaid dollars to pay directly for rent, but California’s governor is asking the administration of President Biden, a fellow Democrat, to authorize a new program called “transitional rent,” which would provide up to six months of rent or temporary housing for low-income enrollees who rely on the state’s healthcare safety net—a new initiative in his arsenal of programs to fight and prevent homelessness. “I’ve been talking to the president. We cannot do this alone,” Newsom told KHN.

California AG Bonta warns Elk Grove to reverse denial of affordable housing or face legal action
Sacramento Bee
California’s attorney general has warned Elk Grove officials that they must reverse their rejection of an affordable housing development planned for the city’s Old Town or face legal consequences. In a letter Thursday to Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, Attorney General Rob Bonta said that the city’s ruling last summer against the proposed 66-unit Oak Rose project violates state laws that require streamlining of affordable housing construction. “Too many Californians across this state worry about keeping a roof over their heads, or lack housing altogether,” Bonta said. “We’re committed to enforcing the law, and we will not stand idly by in the face of housing discrimination. I urge Elk Grove to reconsider its unlawful denial of the Oak Rose Apartment project, or face the legal consequences.”

Save Livermore Downtown takes Eden Housing case to California Supreme Court
Pleasanton Weekly
The debate over the affordable housing development planned for downtown Livermore continues with Save Livermore Downtown’s most recent move asking the California Supreme Court to review the appellate court’s published decision that affirmed the trial court’s judgment in favor of developer Eden Housing and the city of Livermore. The group filed its petition to the court on March 7. “Save Livermore Downtown’s petition presents a distorted view of the case, and does not accurately represent the thoughtful and articulate decisions by both the trial court and the Court of Appeals that rejected Save Livermore Downtown’s petition,” said Livermore City Attorney Jason Alcala. “Instead, it attempts to hide the fact that both the trial court and the appellate court determined that Save Livermore Downtown’s case was not even close, and that Save Livermore Downtown’s case was brought to delay affordable housing.”