Dear John,

In November, we joined with many of our state and regional affordable housing partners to ask the governor to increase investments in housing and homelessness with this year’s budget. So NPH was watching closely on Friday when Governor Gavin Newsom announced his 2020 budget proposal for the state of California.

We are pleased that the Governor offered continued support for critical affordable housing policies and programs — especially the low-income housing tax credit expansion, which has been a key driver of most affordable housing development in the state. 

We also commend the Governor for making exciting new commitments to homelessness services and prevention, increasing investments for our most vulnerable residents experiencing homelessness. Housing and homelessness are the very top issues for Bay Area residents. 

We believe there are more opportunities ahead to make progress for our communities and create affordable housing solutions for all. With a historic state budget surplus of $5.6 billion, we believe now is the time to increase investments in affordable housing, re-invest in our communities, and create a California for all. 

The budget is California's moral document. Bay Area and California families, and even the nation at large, look to California as a leader and for guidance in who we are, what we stand for, and how we treat one another. As we move forward, we urge the state to lead with strong, vocal conviction and be bold with new investments and strategies that can provide relief for our neighbors struggling now, protect our longstanding residents and communities of color, and invest in our next generation’s ability to live and thrive here in California.

Thank you,

Amie Fishman
NPH Executive Director  

P.S. We commit to working with our partners, members, and the Legislature to build on the current budget proposal and identify additional opportunities to build affordable homes for our most vulnerable residents. If you have ideas, questions, or feedback about the current budget proposal, I encourage you to get in touch with NPH’s Policy Director Pedro Galvao at [email protected].