SCANPH Take Action Page

Contact Robert Dhondrup at SCANPH rdhondrup@scanph.org or 213.480.1249 if you have any questions.

(JANUARY 2012) TAKE ACTION ON THE SUPREME COURT DECISION ON REDEVELOPMENT - VISIT THIS LINK TO FAX THE GOVERNOR AND YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS

The Southern California Association of NonProfit Housing (SCANPH) supports SB 654 (Steinberg) along with Housing California.

With the passage of last year's AB 26x, all of California's redevelopment agencies are scheduled to dissolve on February 1, 2012. Many agencies still have balances in their Low and Moderate Income Housing Funds (the twenty percent of redevelopment funds designated for affordable housing).  SB 654 (Steinberg) would specify that the balances in dissolving redevelopment agencies’ housing funds shall be used for housing construction and other housing-related purposes. This bill clarifies conflicting provisions of last year’s AB 26x and has received unanimous bi-partisan support thus far.

SB 654 passed unanimously, (8-0) out of the California Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. The bipartisan support included 2 Republican votes. Conservative Republican Ted Gaines said, "This is a good transition opportunity to make sure housing dollars are used for housing."

(JANUARY 2012) TAKE ACTION IF YOU LIVE IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, REQUEST THE CITY COUNCIL TO IDENTIFY LAHD AS THE HOUSING SUCCESSOR AGENCY - VISIT THIS LINK TO FAX YOUR MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

On December 29, 2011, the California Supreme Court delivered its decision in the California Redevelopment Association v. Matosantos. The court upheld the constitutionality of AB1x 26, the bill dissolving redevelopment agencies, and declared unconstitutional AB1x 27, the bill that would have allowed redevelopment agencies to continue to exist through an alternative redevelopment program.

Pursuant to the Supreme Court’s decision, redevelopment agencies will be dissolved effective February 1, 2012 and all of their housing functions and binding commitments will be transferred to either (a) the local government that authorized the redevelopment agency; or if they do not accept them (b) the local housing authority; or (c) the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Local venues must vote before January 31st to keep projects with funding commitments under local control. 

The Southern California Association of NonProfit Housing (SCANPH) strongly urges the City Council to adopt a resolution that will identify the City of Los Angeles Department of Housing (LAHD), as the Housing Successor Agency before the January 31, 2012 deadline.

Or as Paul Zimmerman, SCANPH Executive Director, explains, "Local tax dollars were committed to these projects and the City’s Housing Department is the best place to see them through to completion. It is critical that we mitigate the elimination of redevelopment’s affordable housing activities as we seek new ways to address the housing affordability crisis in Los Angeles."

(Ongoing) LET YOUR LEGISLATORS KNOW THAT YOU WANT AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO BE A PRIORITY!

As the year 2012 begins fresh and new, we too look about us with fresh eyes, at least for a short time. What will this New Year bring? What will we bring to the New Year?

Certainly, we all would like to see our federal and state legislators take a stronger role in the passage of critical legislation that would help fund and preserve affordable housing. Now is the time to let your elected representatives know what actions you deem necessary in 2012. Tell them to make affordable housing one of their top priorities in 2012; that together we can improve our economy and our communities.

Take a moment and send them your best wishes for 2012 and let them know that as a constituent, your wish for this year is that they make affordable housing one of their top-3 legislative priorities. Visit this link here.

Happy New Year! Contact Robert Dhondrup at SCANPH rdhondrup@scanph.org or 213.480.1249 if you have any questions.