Dear Constituent,

The 2022-23 state budget that my legislative colleagues and I passed in June dedicates $8.3 billion for housing and homelessness, bringing the two-year total to nearly $31 billion in state funds to build much-needed new housing, especially affordable housing, and to address California's homelessness crisis.

These historic investments are essential because millions of Californians continue to struggle to afford housing, whether as renters or homebuyers.

In previous email newsletters, I highlighted the record-setting investments in this year's state budget for K-12 schools and higher education and health care and reproductive services. Today's newsletter highlights this year's state investments in housing, homeownership, and homelessness.

Expanding California's Housing Supply

Last year we approved $10.3 billion to accelerate building new housing, plus a record $2 billion for student housing. This year the state budget includes an additional $2.9 billion for new, affordable housing and homeownership opportunities, plus an additional $2 billion for student housing.

Affordable Housing. The funds dedicated to affordable housing production include:

• $450 million to convert existing commercial or office space to affordable housing
• $425 million to support infrastructure needed to build affordable housing in downtown areas
• $325 million to build more affordable multi-family apartment buildings
• $250 million for grants to speed up affordable housing construction
• $150 million to preserve affordable housing units in downtown areas
• $100 million to expand affordable housing development and adaptive reuse on vacant or unused state land.

Expanding Homeownership: To help very-low-, low-, and moderate-income Californians purchase or remain in their homes, our 2022-23 state budget includes:

• $500 million to establish the California Dream for All Program to help low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers with down payments and other home ownership costs.

• $350 million for CalHome to provide grants to local agencies and nonprofits to support first-time homebuyers and enable low-income homeowners retain their homes.

ADU Financing: $50 million to help homeowners finance the construction of accessory dwelling units, also known as granny flats or backyard cottages.

Student Housing: $2 billion for student housing facilities, bringing the state's two-year investment in student housing to $4 billion.

Homelessness

California's 2022-23 state budget adds $3.4 billion to the $10 billion dedicated last year to support people who are unhoused or who are at risk of becoming homeless, including:

• $300 million to assist people in homeless encampments and help them transition into housing
• $1 billion for cities, counties and community organizations to address their homeless residents in ways that best meet local needs
• $150 million for Project Homekey to provide long-term housing for homeless Californians
• $1.5 billion to expand access to housing to serve people with complex behavioral health needs
• $34 million for transitional housing and services for former foster youth or those on probation.

As chair of the Senate's Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, it was my honor to work on this year's transformative budget. Please be on the lookout for future e-newsletters regarding other major investments we made in California's historic 2022-23 state budget.

It is a privilege serving as your state senator.

Sincerely,

Nancy Skinner
State Senator, District 

P.S. You can follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more updates from the Capitol and throughout Senate District 9.