SCANPH members from Southern California participated in discussions with HCD Director Lynn Jacob to develop recommendations for Governor Schwarzenegger on securing a permanent funding source for affordable housing.
SCANPH members from across Southern California joined with other housing developers and advocates this week at the USC Davidson Center for a meeting hosted by California Department of Housing and Community Development Director Lynn Jacobs. At the direction of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, HCD Director Jacobs was hosting one of the seven regional statewide meetings to discuss and develop recommendations on securing a permanent funding source for affordable housing.
The regional meetings are being held with key stakeholders from the business, education, environmental, local government, and housing communities to discuss possible programs and types of projects that could be funded through the program, provide feedback to HCD on how to best distribute the funding, and develop recommendations on potential sources of funding as well.
Listing the types of projects that could be funded by a permanent source, SCANPH members included multifamily rental housing, rural and farmworker programs, supportive housing, and the need to be able to fund operating budgets and on-site supportive services as areas that should be covered.
As a way to distribute permanent source funding, SCANPH members recommended using the HOME allocation formula and tying the funding to TOD and smart growth principles.
Finally, when asked by HCD Director Jacobs for possible trust fund revenue sources, SCANPH members suggested fees on real estate transactions, employer assisted housing tax credits and a higher transient occupancy fee.
During July and August of 2008, HCD and Director Jacobs will compile the recommendations from the statewide meetings, receive feedback on the reports, and prepare a final draft for the Governor's review by September 30.
For more information on the statewide meetings being hosted by HCD on permanent source funding for affordable housing, please visit the HCD website at http://www.hcd.ca.gov/permsource/
