Prop 1C Trailer Bills -
Ideas Needed
Most of the programs funded with Prop 1C are
either existing programs or the enabling legislation was included in the
measure adopted by the voters. However, there are three programs that
require legislative action before they can be implemented. These are the $850
million for infrastructure related to infill housing development, $200 million
for parks related to housing development and $100 million for the Affordable
Innovation Fund.
As you can imagine, there is a whole lot of
activity going on around how exactly these funding sources will be utilized,
especially the infrastructure package. Here in San Diego County, SANDAG
is working with the cities to define programs that will coincide with their
Smart Growth Opportunity grants with the hope of getting the funds block
granted to SANDAG. The City of San Diego has a working group looking at the
opportunities for the city. At the state level, the Planning and Conservation
League has been meeting with other environmental groups and the Non-Profit
Housing Association of Northern California (the Federation's counter-part in
the Bay Area) to develop principles for the use of the funds. The CBIA
has a working group as does Housing California.
Given the fact that these programs were part of
an "affordable housing" bond package, we hope that there will be a heavy
emphasis on affordable housing in the allocation of the infrastructure
bonds. This could mean such things as the infrastructure funds have to
spent to support infill housing development that includes an inclusionary
requirement. For example,the Transit Oriented Development Fund requires that
Housing developments that are eligible for the funds must include at least 15
percents of the units affordable for very-low-and low-income households for 55
years. Other suggestions include allowing affordable housing developers to
apply for the funds to cover the development impact fees associated with a
project or using the funds to directly finance affordable housing in infill
areas.
The Affordable Housing Innovation Fund was put in
the bond by Republicans that want to see more efficient ways of financing
affordable housing development utilized. The program will require a 2/3
majority of both houses to pass which means the Republican caucus must agree
to the program. The caucus is looking for solutions that may capitalize
on the private financing market.
The Federation's Policy Committee is forming a
working group to work on suggestions for these bills. All Federation
members are encouraged to send their ideas for how best to take advantage of
these funds to Tom Scott at tom@housingsandiego.org by
December 31. Also, we are looking for volunteers to be on the working
group. This will entail email exchanges and teleconferences.
Last Weekly Brief of
2006
The Federation offices will be closed from
Friday, December 22nd until Tuesday, January 2nd. The next Weekly Brief
will be on Friday, January 6th, 2007.
The Board and Staff of the San Diego Housing
Federation wish all a Joyous Holiday
Season with friends and family and a Happy and Prosperous
2007.
© 2006 San Diego Housing Federation, 110 W C Street,
Suite 1013, San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 239-6693
Website: http://www.housingsandiego.org
Email: sdhfstaf@housingsandiego.org
