Looking Ahead to a Promising 2023

After a pivotal 2022, CHOC is gearing up for a bright 2023. Good things are happening in our world of multifamily affordable housing — CHOC is proud to continue playing a crucial, community-based role, empowering working individuals and families.

With the state of housing as it is today, state and nationwide, the need for affordable housing is at its greatest. Although much work lies ahead, we applaud action taken by municipalities and government representatives to benefit the lives of lower income communities, building a brighter future for generations to come.

A few significant news updates:

Lift to Rise’s New $15 Million Housing Fund

A major win for nonprofit Lift to Rise, the state of California has allocated $15 million to future housing projects in the Coachella Valley. The fund is intended to provide low interest loans to developers, which will in turn build more affordable housing in the region.

“We’re just so incredibly grateful for the more than 60 organizations who collaborate in this work who have committed to a shared goal of radically increasing the supply of affordable housing in the Coachella Valley,” says President and CEO of Lift to Rise, Heather Vaikona.

Heather Vaikona (center) with Lift To Rise team | Photo Courtesy of Desert Magazine

Fiona Ma’s Reelection & Commitment to Affordable Housing

With State Treasurer Fiona Ma’s reelection comes a continued priority on addressing the current shortage of affordable housing. Ma currently leads 4 committees that allocate funds for affordable housing, and her impactful presence at both of CHOC’s recent groundbreaking ceremonies — The Monarch Apartment Homes and Placita Dolores Huerta — has been noted regionally, statewide, and nationally.

Fiona Ma speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for Placita Dolores Huerta | Photo courtesy of Noé Montes

Serving Our Low-Income Residents

For years, CHOC Services has partnered with United Way California Capital Region (UWCCR) to offer Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), a free, reliable tax assistance program to low- and moderate-income individuals and families. Last tax season, United Way helped more than 4,000 families receive more than $7.5 million in tax refunds. Those earning less than $66,000 annually were able to file taxes for free with the help of VITA.

In the coming tax years, CHOC aims to work with VITA directly by offering the program on-site at our affordable housing communities across California. Find more information on VITA here.

Similarly, CHOC continues a partnership with AARP, providing tax assistance for our senior, over 55 residents in Woodland, CA.

Riverside County Aims to Increase Affordable Housing – Despite Budget Cuts

In spite of proposed state budget cuts, Riverside County is still working toward increasing affordable housing throughout the region. Greg Rodriguez, Director of Housing and Workforce Solutions for Riverside County, says progress is continuing, and efforts to keep building affordable housing remain strong.

In all of Riverside County, currently 1,500 affordable apartments are underway at 20 housing developments.

“From what I see, it looks like we're on track,” Rodriguez says. “What we need to do is get more units in the pipeline.” Continued support of affordable housing will continue in Riverside County, and statewide, throughout 2023.

San Diego Mayor Gloria & LA Mayor Bass Call for Affordable Housing Approval

Just days after the start of 2023, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria signed an executive order for City departments to review and approve all affordable housing developments within 30 days. According to Mayor Gloria, the process typically takes upwards of six months.

Akin to Los Angeles’ Mayor Karen Bass, Mayor Todd Gloria is making major strides forward in the advancement of affordable housing. In December, Mayor Bass delivered a similar directive, ridding the typical paperwork and bottleneck processes which slow the development of affordable housing. With continued mayoral support, affordable housing development is looking bright for 2023, in two of California’s largest cities.

The Davis Vanguard Executive Editor Addresses CEQA

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is a statute which requires state and local agencies to follow a protocol and public disclosure of environmental impacts of proposed developments. Intended to protect the environment, says Executive Editor David M. Greenwald in a recent op-ed, the law has unfortunately “routinely been used and often misused to prevent, stop or delay housing projects.”

He adds:

“...there are legitimate purposes for CEQA that should not be denuded or stripped away. But at the same time, when a court rules there is no merit to the case, where the community follows the law, and the project is an affordable housing project, there has to be a way to expedite the process.” See more from the article here.

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) | Image courtesy of davisvanguard.org

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California’s Multifamily Affordable Housing Sector Makes Headway