California Governor Gavin Newsom is calling for an increase in affordable, sustainable housing, and an end to homelessness. With the 2019-20 budget act now in place, California is allowed to suspend the debt limit and increase discretionary spending limits. With these new budgets given to the californian government, pro-housing sites have been awarded all over California, and a plan of 2.5 million new homes over the next eight years will be built.
On Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, an application for a pro-housing site was sent in by the city of Berkeley, and on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, the designation was awarded. Berkeley is one of the 46 cities that were recognized by this prohousing policy, “Communities now designated as Prohousing were eligible to apply for a share of $9.5 million” said Governor Newsom.
“At a time when the state is facing a housing crisis, every local jurisdiction should be stepping up to earn this distinction,” Newsom said. California has a total of 161,548 homeless people, which accounts for nearly 28 percent of the nation’s homeless population. Additionally, Los Angeles is the city with the second-largest rate of homelessness with 63,000 individuals, only coming in second after New York City. Homelessness is a problem across the world- but when it comes to California, it’s important to establish housing opportunities like this.
Pro-housing designations will create housing communities, whether they be apartments and houses, and offer affordable housing costs to those qualifying. Out of the 47 towns, Berkeley has the most “points awarded,” meaning the city will receive the most benefits regarding the issue. These benefits include favorable zoning of land, acceleration of housing production, financial subsidies, and reduction of development costs. This is great for the community, as it means that the whole process will cost less, and residencies will be able to present themselves to a wider demographic.
The Prohousing designation is awarded based on the steps each city has taken in order to increase affordable housing production. One of the steps Berkeley took that was listed as being one of the reasons for the designation on the California Housing and Community Developement website was, “Finally, the city’s Housing Trust Fund (HTF) policies authorize the regular release of development loan and Small Sites Program solicitations. These funds are available for affordable housing construction and are available to developers through a single application process.”
Berkeley already has five non-profits associated with the City of Berkeley, dedicated to providing affordable housing for residents. With this new housing proposition in motion, more affordable and sustainable housing is soon to be available in Berkeley.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is calling for an increase in affordable, sustainable housing, and an end to homelessness. With the 2019-2020 Budget Act now in place, California is allowed to suspend the debt limit and increase discretionary spending limits. Using this is new budget, the California government has begun awarding the Prohousing Designation to cities across California and plan to have 2.5 million new homes over the next eight years built.
On Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, an application for a pro-housing site was sent in by the city of Berkeley, and on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, the designation was awarded. Berkeley is one of the 46 cities that were recognized as a Prohousing community. “Communities now designated as Prohousing were eligible to apply for a share of $9.5 million,” said Governor Newsom.
“At a time when the state is facing a housing crisis, every local jurisdiction should be stepping up to earn this distinction,” Newsom said. California has a total of 161,548 homeless people, which accounts for nearly 28 percent of the nation’s homeless population. Los Angeles is the city with the second-largest rate of homelessness in the nation, with 63,000 individuals, only coming in second after New York City. Homelessness is a problem across the world—but when it comes to California, it’s especially important to establish housing opportunities like this due to the large homeless population.
Cities given the Prohousing designation will eligible to receive additional support and exclusive access to grants in order circumvent barriers to increase housing production and prioritize housing for all income levels. A few benefits of the Prohousing designation include favorable zoning of land, financial subsidies, and reduction of development costs. This designation has great potential to benefit Berkeley as it can help improve housing production, decreasing the current housing affordability crisis and can also assist in creating more low income housing.
The Prohousing designation is awarded based on the steps each city has taken in order to increase affordable housing production. One of the steps Berkeley took that was listed as being one of the reasons for the designation on the California Department of Housing and Community Developement (HCD) website was, “Finally, the city’s Housing Trust Fund (HTF) policies authorize the regular release of development loan and Small Sites Program solicitations. These funds are available for affordable housing construction and are available to developers through a single application process.”
According to a quote listed on the HCD’s website, “Too often, we are forced to play the role of enforcer when bad actors try to stand in the way of needed housing,” said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Tomiquia Moss. “It is so refreshing when we have opportunities like this to recognize our housing partners, who are working to strengthen communities and improve quality of life for all.”