KQED: It Was a Sleepy Year For Housing Legislation; Here Are Some That Made It Through

Group of people holding signs supporting regional measure in front of a building

Continuing the Fight for Housing Solutions: An Update on RM4

August 26, 2024

Development is seen along Clement Avenue from this drone view in Alameda, Calif., on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. The Alameda Marina is being revitalized and restored as The Launch is constructed. This project will include 360 units, including 49 affordable housing units. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Mercury News: Prop 5 would make it easier to pass Bay Area spending bills for housing, transit

September 30, 2024

Image of San Francisco hills for Prop 5 article

After several years of blockbuster housing bills passing through the California Legislature, this past session was lackluster by comparison, some housing advocates said.

But activists are still holding out hope that a statewide proposition — set to appear in November — could turn things around. Proposition 5 (PDF) would make it easier for local governments to pass bonds to fund affordable housing and public infrastructure projects by lowering the voter threshold from a two-thirds supermajority to 55%.

“Prop 5 is a critical step to empowering local communities to address local affordable housing and infrastructure needs,” [Amie Fishman] said. “It allows local communities to take control and make decisions about the future without waiting for additional state intervention.”