CHC is closely monitoring the state and federal response to COVID-19—and we are working with our members to preserve and protect access to affordable housing:

California situation:

• Governor Newsom announced late last week that “we are now in a pandemic-induced recession,” and tapped former presidential candidate Tom Steyer to lead a new Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery that will make recommendations to support the state’s economic recovery.
• The state’s jobless numbers climbed past 3.3 million since the beginning of the COVID outbreak, with another 550,000 unemployment claims submitted last week. 
• The California Housing Consortium released a new proposal, Keep California Housed, highlighting actions the state and federal government can take to support struggling low-income renters and hundreds of thousands of affordable homes that could be in danger of default.
• Meanwhile, this week California had its highest-ever number of deaths in a single day—with the San Jose Mercury News reporting 117 fatalities statewide on Wednesday, bringing the total state death toll to more than 1,400 people.

Federal action:

• Congress approved and the President signed a new emergency stimulus package that will provide an additional $484 billion in coronavirus relief, replenishing two small business loan programs that have already been depleted.
• Democrats in Washington are now pushing for additional relief for state and local governments, though Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he is opposed to the idea.

State policy activity:

• With the Assembly expected to return to session on May 4, Governor Newsom said Friday that he hopes to begin assessing indicators as soon as next week that will dictate when the stay-at-home order is lifted.
• “I hope next week, I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I hope next week we can start taking some of these other indicators, start pointing in the direction of green and we can make those announcements,” Newsom said.