To: Board of Supervisors
From: Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Report Title: Recognizing May as Affordable Housing Month in the East Bay
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT resolution recognizing May as Affordable Housing Month in the East Bay
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
See resolution.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
IN THE MATTER OF Recognizing May as Affordable Housing Month in the East Bay
WHEREAS, quality affordable homes are vital to healthy, safe, and racially just communities; and
WHEREAS, after 42 years, East Bay Housing Organizations proudly continues to champion affordable housing in the East Bay, fostering a racially and economically just community for all; and
WHEREAS, even before current high inflation rates, increasing housing costs led longtime residents to be displaced, live in overcrowded homes, or experience homelessness, threatening our region’s racial diversity and economic opportunity; and
WHEREAS, stable affordable homes are the solution to homelessness, and support seniors, families, youth, veterans, immigrants, people with disabilities, and our whole community; and
WHEREAS, for two years in a row both the President and the Governor of California have proposed budgets that dramatically cut funding for affordable housing which, if actualized would reduce federal affordable housing assistance by 44%; and
WHEREAS, across California there are over 39,000 affordable homes ready to be built but lacking the financing to begin construction; and
WHEREAS, a $10 billion statewide bond has been proposed to fund the construction of these affordable homes; and
WHEREAS, the role of local governments and regional bodies has never been so critical in maintaining support for producing, preserving, and protecting affordable housing opportunities for low-income communities; and
WHEREAS, our housing affordability crisis is a regional issue requiring regional solutions and cooperation between local jurisdictions through the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority; and
WHEREAS, May is recognized as Affordable Housing Month across the Bay Area in joint acknowledgement of the coordinated, regional work necessary to ensure that everyone has an affordable and stable home; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors hereby proclaims May as Affordable Housing Month in Contra Costa County and will work to support affordable and stable housing at the local, regional, state and federal levels.