May 31 Protect Funding for Affordable Housing Programs

May 31, 2024 

The Honorable Scott Wiener 
Chair, Senate Committee on Budget 
1021 O Street, Suite 8630 
Sacramento, CA 95814 

The Honorable Jesse Gabriel 
Chair, Assembly Committee on Budget 
1021 O Street, Suite 8230 
Sacramento, CA 95814 

RE:  Protect Funding for Affordable Housing Programs 

Dear Chair Wiener and Chair Gabriel, 

On behalf of the Marin County Board of Supervisors, I write in support of the restoration to affordable housing programs proposed in the Joint Legislative Budget Plan and urge you to consider further rejections of the Governor’s proposed cuts to much-needed investments in solving our state’s affordable housing and homelessness crisis. While we understand the state is facing a dire budget shortfall, these proposed cuts would be detrimental just as we have begun to make real, meaningful progress on building and preserving affordable housing in our communities. 

We commend the work of the Legislature in moving to protect the $500 million for the Low Income Housing Tax Credits program; and rejecting the Governor’s proposed cuts to Multifamily Housing Program (MHP), Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) 2.0, and Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program. 

In Marin, these programs that the Governor had proposed to cut play a vital role in local, large-scale affordable housing projects. For example, the Multi-Family Housing Program was a key funding component for Marin’s 250-unit Oak Hill project, which includes 115 homes for low and very low-income households. These cuts put the project in jeopardy. REAP grants have also been critical to our collaboration work with cities and towns on the regional Housing Working Group and led to successful planning and implementation of housing elements. 

However, we remained seriously concerned with the proposals that remain -- including the standing $1.2 billion in cuts to affordable housing programs from the January Budget. Further May Revision cuts that were not included in the Joint Legislative Budget Plan include cuts to the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program and reversion of General Fund support for the Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program. The Infill program cuts would adversely impact opportunities for Marin to leverage these funds for projects in our housing element. The proposed cuts to the Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program mean further projects like Marin’s Homeward Bound Veteran Housing project, which created 24 units to eliminate Veterans homelessness in Marin, may not be realized. 

Beyond direct impacts to housing projects already underway – we are seriously concerned with the deterring effect that a significant pullback in housing investments will have on projects in the pipeline, many of the kinds our housing element aims to develop in Marin.  

Marin County Community Development Agency staff have spoken with our area’s major affordable housing developers, and they have all relayed they are planning to hold off starting any new projects because of proposed state budget cuts. There is no doubt that should they hold; these significant cuts will result in less affordable housing for the next 5+ years, make it very difficult for us to meet our RHNA goals, and most importantly – worsen our community's dire housing crisis for the most vulnerable residents. 

We can only make progress in solving our housing affordability and homelessness crises with ongoing funding at a scale that matches the scale of our crisis. Therefore, we urge the Legislature to reject these significant cuts to these critical affordable housing programs. 

Sincerely, 

Dennis Rodoni, President 
Marin County Board of Supervisors 

Cc: Marin County Board of Supervisors 
Senator Mike McGuire 
Assemblymember Damon Connolly