HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupport Letter - SB 5 (Beall) - 06.25.2019CITY OF
CUPERTINO
June 25, 2019
MAYOR STEVEN SCHARF
sscharf@cupe0ino.org
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
TELEPHONE: (408) 777-3191 - FAX: (408) 777-3366
CUPERTINO.ORG
The Honorable Jim Beall
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 2082
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Support Senate Bill 5 (Beall) - Affordable Housing and Community Development
Investment Program
Dear Senator Beall,
I am writing on behalf of the City of Cupertino to express support for SB 5 (Beall), the
Affordable Housing and Community Development Investment Program.
The elimination of redevelopment in 2011 created a huge deficit in community
revitalization resources throughout California, including an annual loss of $1 billion in
funding for low- and moderate -income housing. SB 5 provides opportunities for
communities to access additional tax increment revenues to fund affordable housing,
infrastructure, and economic development projects that advance state and local priorities,
including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding transit -oriented development,
addressing poverty, and revitalizing neighborhoods.
As you know, the State is currently experiencing a housing and homelessness crisis.
Coupled with the rising cost of construction is the fundamental lack of funding resources
and mechanisms provided to local public agencies to help address this crisis. Too often
local communities are forced into transformative change without being provided the
necessary tools to fund sustainable, responsible, and well -planned development. The time
is right for the State to fill the void left by the elimination of redevelopment and provide
more tools to support local efforts to build more affordable housing, provide essential
infrastructure, and create opportunities in underserved communities.
The City of Cupertino wishes to commend you for recognizing the diversity of California
cities and for acknowledging the need for flexible funding to spur housing construction
and revitalize communities.
For these reasons, the City of Cupertino supports SB 5.
Sincerely,
Steven Scharf
Mayor, City of Cupertino
cc: Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Members