Housing Bond Would Fund City Parks and Infill Housing Infrastructure Projects
Growing voter support for Prop. 1C could mean good news for cities, as the earmarked funds in the housing measure could help cities address a range of housing needs. (See "Recent Poll Shows Strengthened Voter Support for Infrastructure Bonds.") Of the $2.85 billion the measure would raise, approximately $1.35 billion would specifically help cities with housing-related infrastructure issues:
- Infill Housing Construction - $850 million in grants for development of public infrastructure projects that facilitate or support infill housing construction. Projects could include water, sewer and transportation improvements, traffic mitigation and brownfield cleanup.
Urban, Suburban and Rural Parks - $200 million.
Transit-Oriented Development - $300 million to develop and construct housing and infrastructure projects within close proximity to transit stations.
Cities also benefit from other funding contained in Prop. 1C:
- Affordable Home Ownership Programs - $725 million to help over 23,600 families become or remain homeowners.
- Affordable Housing Construction Programs - $345 million for affordable rental housing for more than 4,000 families.
- Housing for Farmworkers - $135 million to build rental and home ownership opportunities to help farm workers.
- Homeless Permanent Housing Construction - $245 million to build permanent housing for the homeless, those transitioning out of homelessness and foster care youth.
- Homeless Shelter Housing Construction - $50 million to construct and expand homeless shelters of last resort and transitional housing for the homeless.
For the Legislative Analyst’s Office summary of Prop. 1C and all the November 2006 ballot measures, click here.
What Cities Can Do
While the PPIC polling (See "Voter Approval of Infrastructure Bond Measures up in Recent Poll", Page 1) is encouraging for the housing bond, we are six weeks away from the election, and nothing is certain. The League urges cities to examine how Prop. 1C could benefit your city’s efforts to address housing problems, and support it and all the infrastructure bonds. Information on "What Cities Can Do to Rebuild California’s Infrastructure" is available on the League‘s website (www.cacities.org/ballotmeasures).
What Individual City Officials Can Do
Individual city officials who wish to get involved with advocating for the measure - on their personal time, and using only their personal (non-city) computer - can learn how they can help by visiting the campaign website at www.homes4ca.org. You can contribute to the campaign, as well as volunteer to speak at local events, distribute materials, raise money, host a house party or write a letter to the editor.
Final Notes
- While there are individuals who opposed to the measure, the League is unaware of any organized opposition to Proposition 1C.
- This article was produced and distributed using non-public funds of the League of California Cities. Public officials are urged to avoid using public funds and equipment in supporting or opposing any ballot measure, including Prop. 1C.
Editor’s Note: Ann Erdman, public information officer, city of Pasadena, contributed to this report.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
|
