SDHF In the News- April 2021

Development plans halted for former Sports Arena site

ABC10 News– 03/29

“It’s a big site. Land like that is not available in the city, for the most part, in this city, especially in a lo￾cation like that so it’s a big opportunity,” said Laura Nunn with San Diego Housing Federation.

Mayor Gloria Recognizes SDHF Resident & Community Organizer, Mehrsa Imani

SDNews- 03/27

The 2021 Women of Distinction honorees are true trailblazers and should serve as role models for all San Diegans,” Gloria said. “I’m honored to recognize these 16 women for their achievement, leadership, and contributions to our city.” Mehrsa Imani is a resident and community organizer at the San Diego Housing Federation. As the organizer for the Homeless-Experienced Advocacy and Leadership network, Imani provides leadership trainings, coordinates meetings with elected officials, and informs on upcoming public hearings to elevate the voices of people with lived expertise of homelessness.

Sports Arena Negotiations on Hold After Unexpected State Requirements

Voice of San Diego - 03/25

“This was exactly why we did this bill,” she said. “The whole idea of the Surplus Lands Act, and the reason advocates wanted to strengthen and clarify the bill, is because public land should be used for public good.”

Pilot Progam to Give $500 a Month to Low-Income National City & San Diego Residents, No Strings Attached

NBC San Diego – 04/08

With funds raised by the Jewish Family Service of San Diego, starting this fall 150 families from both National City and San Diego will receive $500 a month for two years to be spent on whatever the family needs, like gas, car repairs, food for the household, medicine or housing expenses.

Council: Actually, Measure C Passed

Voice of San Diego - 04/07

City Council members Monica Montgomery-Steppe, Vivian Moreno and Sean Elo-Rivera on Tuesday voted against taking the issue to court, arguing that the city shouldn’t get involved after voters had their say. Elo-Rivera said that Measure C proponents – not the city – should have pursued the challenge. Mayor Todd Gloria, tourism and labor leaders rallied before and after the Tuesday vote, arguing that it could bolster the local economy by supplying jobs and deliver dedicated cash for homelessness.

65 affordable housing units are proposed for vacant lot in Arroyo Grande

KSBY – 04/08

On a nearly two-acre plot near the corner of Oak Park Blvd and El Camino Real, The Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo (HASLO) is proposing to build three, 3-story buildings with a total of 65 affordable housing units.

Google-backed affordable home site in downtown San Jose could sprout near Shark Tank

Mercury News - 04/07

Google bought sites for future affordable housing across from SAP Center years ago. Now, the company can provide the land to the city so San Jose can launch the development of 200 affordable homes.

L.A. councilmen propose temporary homeless camps in beach parking lots

KTLA - 04/06

The motion asks the city administrative officer to evaluate and identify funding for temporary sites for “single-occupancy tiny homes or safe camping” at Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades, Dockweiler Beach in Playa del Rey and Fisherman’s Village in Marina del Rey. Dockweiler would include “safe parking” sites.

HUD Allocates Nearly $700 Million for Affordable Housing

HUD - 04/06

“This past year has reminded us just how important it is to have access to safe and stable housing. But too many Americans are struggling to keep or find an affordable home,” said Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “We are excited to announce this historic funding allocation, which will enable states to expand and preserve affordable housing for our neighbors who need our support the most.”

Change Makers with Katie Goar: Finding the right solutions for the affordable housing community

ForbesBooksRadio- 04/06 (Podcast)

Katie concludes her conversation with ChangeMaker Jacqueline Waggoner, the President of Solutions at Enterprise Community Partners. Jacqueline’s promotion to President of Solutions in late 2020 coincided with Enterprise’s new five-year Strategic Plan, which organizes all of its work around three pillars: increase housing supply, advance racial equity, and build resilience and upward mobility. In part two, Jacqueline talks about what Enterprise communities looks like, how their $3.5 billion nationwide initiative will help dismantle the deeply rooted legacy of racism in housing, and the impact of the pandemic on affordable housing.

Baltimore Land Trusts Plug Away at Vision for Development Without Displacement

NextCity - 04/06

Like other land trusts, the SBCLT will maintain ownership of the land underlying the new homes and sell the improvements to low-income buyers. When those buyers decide to move out, they’ll split any equity they may have built with the land trust, which will then sell the house to another low-income buyer.