Category: Policy-Main

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.

Measure A earns support of San Jose mayor, police and DA

“Passing this temporary, stopgap measure means we don’t have to choose between providing health care for San Jose families and prosecuting crime,” Mayor Mahan said in a statement shared by the public safety unions. “No community should have to make that choice, and by stepping up together we can ensure Santa Clara County residents don’t.”

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.

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.

California Rolls Back CEQA for Urban Infill Development

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law a legislative package that includes broad exemptions to the 54-year-old California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Housing projects in urban infill areas that have already been approved under city and county environmental review will no longer need to be subjected to further state assessment under CEQA, which has often been cited as an obstacle to housing development in the state.

Governor Newsom signs into law groundbreaking reforms to build more housing, boost affordability

“We applaud the governor and the legislature for this breakthrough reform package to streamline housing production,” said Matthew O. Franklin, President & CEO, MidPen Housing. “We know that increasing housing supply is key to solving our affordability crisis, and are confident these measures contribute to a future with more affordable, environmentally sustainable housing options for all Californians.”

Sen. Schiff Highlights Affordable Housing on Bay Area Visit

U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) toured Brooklyn Basin in Oakland to experience local efforts to build affordable housing units along the Oakland shoreline. On the tour, Schiff was joined by representatives from the Northern California Carpenters Union, Alameda County Building and Construction Council, MidPen Housing, and Signature Development Group.

November 2024 Election: MidPen’s Ballot Endorsements

For the November 5 election, MidPen is supporting statewide Prop 5 that will give local voters more power to address affordable housing and public infrastructure needs in their communities. MidPen is supporting Measure T in San Mateo and Measure JJ in East Palo Alto, and is opposing statewide Prop 36. Learn more at https://www.midpen-housing.org/what-we-do/electoral/