Category: External

Governor Newsom signs legislation to accelerate housing and affordability

Governor Gavin Newsom today signed Senate Bill 79 (Wiener) and additional bills to make it easier and faster to build more homes — expanding inventory and access across California. These measures cut red tape and hold local governments accountable, so families don’t have to wait years for housing to be approved and built in their communities.

MidPen Housing Celebrates Construction Milestone for 72-Unit Affordable Community in Sonoma

When complete in Fall 2026, Summer Oaks will provide 72 affordable one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for families with incomes up to 60% AMI (currently $75,480 for a family of four), including 52 homes reserved for residents who work in farming and agriculture. Eighteen of the apartments carry project-based vouchers, providing an even deeper level of affordability; two of those units will have dedicated referrals from Sonoma County’s Coordinated Entry System.

Editorial: Yes on Santa Cruz affordable housing Measure C

We urge Santa Cruz voters to approve the Workforce Housing Affordability Act (“Measure C”) on the Nov. 4 ballot. But unless potential voters have studied the measure, unfortunate confusion could sway the vote, as “Measure C” led by Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley and the nonprofit Housing Santa Cruz County is being countered on the ballot by the Workforce Housing and Climate Protection Act (“Measure B”), which is backed by the real estate industry.

Mayor Lurie Cuts Ribbon on 100% Affordable Housing Development for SFUSD Educators, District Employees

“These 135 new homes are the result of an amazing collaboration between SFUSD, MOHCD, the United Educators of San Francisco, and MidPen,” said Matthew O. Franklin, President and CEO of MidPen Housing. “Together, we’ve created a model for housing that prioritizes public school teachers and district workers across a wide range of incomes—people who are essential to a thriving community.”

Shirley Chisholm Village Opens in San Francisco

Shirley Chisholm Village was developed by MidPen Housing and includes a mix of apartments designed to accommodate a range of household sizes. In addition to housing, Shirley Chisholm Village provides a robust suite of on-site services, including academic-based after-school and summer programs for youth, economic mobility programs, homeownership education, and adult education classes.

First Affordable Housing Earmarked For Teachers Opens In Sunset District

“When teachers and their families live in San Francisco, it means more time at school, more time with students,” Mayor Daniel Lurie said. “Our SFUSD educators will be able to stay late to lead a club, and it means a shorter commute home so that they can be with their own families.”

Sunnyvale recognized by state for prohousing efforts

The City of Sunnyvale recently earned top honors from the state for its efforts to implement policies that go above and beyond state housing law to facilitate housing production. Sunnyvale is among 65 jurisdictions in California that have received the Prohousing Designation from Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) since the program began accepting applications in 2021.

SFUSD’s foray into teacher housing reaches an ‘inflection point’

“I feel like it’s a good situation,” said Terrente Richardson, a paraeducator at Malcolm X Academy who lives with his daughter. The pair, who had been living with family members, moved to their new two-bedroom apartment in Shirley Chisholm in December. Given the deep housing-affordability challenges faced by district teachers, he said, “for [SFUSD] to have a set spot for teachers and educators is a good thing.”