Council Takes Positions on Numerous Housing Bills

The Bay Area Council’s Housing Committee met this week to determine positions on a raft of state housing bills. The meeting in Cupertino, an appropriate location given its relation to the high-profile test case of the SB 35 project, the redevelopment of the Vallco site.

See the Council’s on various housing legislation>>

Leslye Corsiglia from SV@Home provided background and the latest updates with the CASA Compact, now known as the Three Ps, due to its commitment to Production, Preservation and Protection. The committee reviewed various bills and ultimately voted to take staff recommendation. It is important to note that the Bay Area Council’s position on some of the policies is contingent on the support for a larger housing package as outlined in the ten elements in the CASA Compact. Fundamentally, CASA is a consensus-building project, bringing together advocates—ranging from business groups to tenants’ rights activists—who are often at odds in policy objectives on housing and land use. The proposed state bills, as an aggregate, represent the compromise of CASA to increase housing production, preserve existing affordable housing, and protect renters from displacement.  A comprehensive package must be endorsed fully by advocates involved in housing policy, and reflective of the policies as described in the Three Ps.

After the Committee vote, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez gave a progress update of the 2016 Measure A Affordable Housing Bond, including the approval of 1,437 affordable homes – 30% of its 4,800-unit goal – just two years into the 10-year projected timeline! The meeting ended with a tour of the empty Vallco mall, which is slated for 2,400 new homes. There’s definitely a lot more potential than its current use! Many thanks again to our member, Sand Hill Property, for hosting us! To engage in the Council’s housing policy work, please contact Senior Vice President Matt Regan.