We're in a major moment for housing. In both the statehouse and our nation's capital, there is huge news that can have a foundational impact on our ability to broaden access to stable housing — and ways you can help move us forward. With sweeping change on the horizon and the potential for even more, read on for the latest on housing advocacy!
First, the bad news. Despite a significant movement of constituents speaking up for CalHome — our state's only funding source for affordable homeownership supply — the budget was finalized without a penny allocated to this critical program. This is certainly disappointing news, but we will continue to push to get CalHome funded in the next budget cycle.
However, the Governor, Senate, and Assembly recently came to an agreement to place an absolutely unprecedented investment in housing on the ballot. This November, you'll see Proposition 1, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, when you go to the polls. And as a result of our tireless advocacy, this bond includes $600M for CalHome so we can invest in our affordable homeownership supply. Without raising taxes, this bond could boost, fast-track, preserve, and streamline our efforts to build the housing we desperately need up and down our state. Habitat for Humanity California is proud to stand behind Prop 1, and we hope you'll stand with us. Get signed up for our Advocacy Alerts so you'll be the first to know the latest on this landmark proposition and how you can be a part of the movement to pass it.It's official: the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law earlier this month. This is the result of a tremendous bipartisan effort to pass the most significant federal housing legislation in decades — and a reflection of a groundswell of constituents across the country speaking up about the housing need we see in our communities. Its more than 50 provisions run the gamut, aiming to boost and preserve housing supply, reduce regulatory barriers, modernize and streamline our federal housing programs, offer technical assistance and incentives, increase access to affordable financing, improve usage of existing funding sources, and more. You can listen to a discussion on KQED's Forum on how this law might impact us here in the Bay Area.
Meanwhile, though, the Senate remains stalled on the appropriations process — which means we still have no clarity on the future of the existing programs Habitat leverages to maximize our local work. This is a critical time to keep our foot on the proverbial gas and urge them to complete the appropriations process and provide the funding we need. You can take just a minute to fill out a turn-key form that spurs Congress to action, right here.The stakes are high, with housing need rising and supply shortages growing throughout our state and our nation. But, we've already shown what focused advocacy can do. We are about to see massive federal housing legislation trickle its impact into our communities in the coming years, and we can double down by investing in our state's housing supply. Let's keep the momentum going.