Affordable Housing initiative launches in Santa Cruz County
UPDATE 04/05/18 6:00PM The Santa Cruz County Housing Initiative has announced their plans to put a $250 million bond measure on the November 2018 ballot.
The group is proposing the money go towards four distinct funds says Susan True, CEO of Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, “we would expand the availability of affordable rental housing. We know right now that too many people spend more than half of their income on rent so we want greater affordable rentals, we also want to help families achieve their dreams of owning their first homes. And so there’s home buyers assistance for first time home owners.” On top of that funds would be set aside for homeless services, also funds would help preserve existing affordable housing in the county.
“We think that a generation out, if we’re looking at all of those solutions we may be able to really solve this crisis,” says True.
The funds would come from an increased commercial and residential property tax in Santa Cruz County, but it is not yet clear how much the tax would be.
Former Mayor Don Lane who is helping with the initiative says they also want input from the community, “we are also inviting members of the community to get involved in this effort and come learn about it, we are holding a series of community meetings, five meetings throughout Santa Cruz County to show people what we are working on and then ask their input to help us refine that proposal before we go to the board of supervisors.”
There will be a series of meetings around Santa Cruz County in April and May for the community to give their input.
The proposal will first need a majority vote from the board of supervisors to be put on the November Ballot. It would then need a 2/3 yes vote from voters.
To find out when and where the meetings will be held click here.
PREVIOUS STORY:
The Santa Cruz County Housing Initiative has announced their plans to put a $250 million bond measure on the November 2018 ballot.
The group is proposing the money go towards four distinct funds: expand the availability of affordable rental housing, assist first time home buyers, homeless services, and help preserve existing affordable housing in the county.
The funds would come from an increased commercial and residential property tax in Santa Cruz County, but it is not yet clear how much the tax would be.
There will be a series of meetings around Santa Cruz County in April and May for the community to give their input.
The proposal will first need a majority vote from the board of supervisors to be put on the November Ballot. It would then need a 2/3 yes vote from voters.
KION’s Ashley Keehn has the full story at 5 and 6 p.m.
