Help Habitat Save Needed Funding for Affordable Homes

We need your help. The California Legislature will decide this week about the elimination of redevelopment agencies (RDAs).  As a supporter and advocate of Habitat for Humanity, you know the crucial and fundamental need for safe and affordable housing.  Today we ask that you join Habitat for Humanity in voicing support for local redevelopment agencies.  

60% of Habitat of Southern Santa Barbara County's affordable homes were built in partnership with the Santa Barbara redevelopment agency.  Our third major affordable home building project--an additional 12 homes--will be built on land purchased with RDA funds.  Their proposed elimination will have a crippling impact on our ability to access land and critical funding for future affordable housing developments. We are able to leverage these public dollars with YOUR donations of money, time and materials to create sorely-needed affordable housing not only on the South Coast, but throughout California.

Habitat builds more than just homes, we also build home ownership. Our partner families pay property taxes, engage in the community, and do not rely on the continued investment of state dollars. Redevelopment agencies are critical partners that enable Habitat to deliver more than just a home to working families in Santa Barbara. There must remain a mechanism for funding that enables the development of affordable housing in California. If you support this position, please help save affordable housing funding in the state budget.

                       

Today we ask you to be an advocate for Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County and the working families who do not have a voice in the budget deliberations. You can demonstrate your commitment to them and our mission by taking one simple step today!                        

                          

Please help Habitat by urging Governor Brown and the California Legislature to protect funds for affordable housing. It only takes a minute to sign Habitat for Humanity's state-wide petition and send an email to Governor Brown today!  

Support Funds for Affordable Housing

According to the Los Angeles Times, California's budget shortfall is estimated to be $28 billion. This deficit has prompted Governor Brown to propose drastic cuts, including the elimination of state Redevelopment Agencies (RDAs).  Like food and clothing, Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County believes that shelter is a basic human need that must be met. Our mission and highest priority is to meet the housing needs of low-income, working families in Santa Barbara County and the elimination of RDAs would affect our ability to do so.

Our local affordable housing projects have been possible due to RDA funds. RDAs are the single largest source of local funding for affordable housing in California. Please learn more and take action to keep local redevelopment funds in our community.

From Housing California's Budget Fact Sheet:

Next to food, adequate shelter is the most fundamental of
human needs. In California, however, rising rents and job
losses have made families the fastest growing segment of our
homeless population. As well, foreclosures are forcing more
families into the rental market, further reducing the available
supply of affordable rentals and driving rents even higher. 

These facts highlight the most valuable role of redevelopment
funds in our communities: The production of affordable places to
live. On its own, the private market does not build enough
apartments with rents Californians can afford. Public investment
is crucial to providing these choices in the market. 

Today, February 15th, the Senate Committee on Governance and Finance is meeting for a hearing on the proposed redevelopment elimination. We will be keeping a close eye on results from this meeting and would love to hear from you. What are your thoughts on Governor Brown's proposed budget cuts?

Update: If you believe Redevelopment Agencies need to remain, tell the legislature here.