Our state's housing shortage was already reaching crisis levels before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. When millions lost their jobs, it was important we kept people housed to prevent a wave of homelessness and a spike in COVID-19 transmission among the unhoused. As we work to emerge from the pandemic, it is essential that we continue to create affordable housing opportunities to ensure California's economic future is inclusive of all families.

As Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, I am proud this year's state fiscal plan includes provisions to address this. We are providing $1.75 billion to build affordable housing and another $300 million to preserve/rehabilitate existing ones. To keep people in their homes, we are also spending $500 million on foreclosure intervention.

At the same time, we want to give more people the opportunity to become homeowners, making a $100 million investment for the development of the California Dream for All First Time Homebuyer Program through the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA). We also allocated $81 million for the agency's Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) financing program to encourage more homeowners build a backyard cottage or in-law unit to rent out. ADUs are a quick way to add affordable housing units, and I have separate legislation, AB 561, to help residents build one when they don't qualify for typical bank loans.

We know there's still more to do as we work to ensure that all Californians have access to affordable housing. I will continue to support efforts in Sacramento to keep us moving towards that goal.

P.S. I am having a Virtual Town Hall on homelessness. Click here for details and to RSVP.

Sincerely,