Finances | Contra Costa Herald

Contra Costa, Richmond, Antioch awarded state grants to house people living in homeless encampments

October 5, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Source: Office of the CA Governor

Governor Newsom awards $130.7 million in Round 3 of program to help 18 California communities

Also creating a collaborative program between the state and targeted communities to streamline the cleanup of encampments

SACRAMENTO – Oct. 4, 2024 — Expanding the state’s unprecedented support for local communities to create new housing and address homelessness, Governor Newsom announced Friday, the state is awarding $130.7 million to 18 local governments to clear homeless encampments and provide shelter, care and support. The grants are from Round 3 of the Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) awards from the Department of Housing and Community Development. The Governor also announced new accountability measures, requiring award recipients to adhere to all state housing and homeless laws — as well as remain in compliance with their Housing Elements — or risk losing funding and face other enforcement actions.

The Round 3 funds awarded Friday will go to 12 cities, four counties and two Continuums of Care (CoCs) and are intended to resolve critical encampment concerns and address the housing and health and safety needs of 3,364 people living in encampments, and permanently house 1,565 people.

Of the total amount the City of Richmond was awarded $9,336,746, the City of Antioch will receive $6,812,686 and the County of Contra Costa was granted $5,708,516. Of the 18 agencies, Contra Costa County scored the highest followed by Richmond.

“We’re supporting local communities’ efforts to get people out of encampments and connected with care and housing across the state. It’s important and urgent work that requires everyone to do their part. The state has committed more than $27 billion to help local governments tackle the homelessness crisis — and we want to see $27 billion worth of results,” said Governor Newsom.

Source: CA Dept of HCD

$1 billion in funding to clear encampments

Governor Newsom has made unprecedented investments to address the housing and homelessness crises, with $40 billion invested to help communities create more housing and $27 billion provided to communities for homelessness. Today’s new grants are part of the state’s $1 billion Encampment Resolution Funds (ERF), which help communities address dangerous encampments and support people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

So far, the program has invested $737 million for 109 projects or encampments across 21 counties, 41 cities and 5 CoCs to help 20,888 people throughout the state, helping 20,888 people transition out of homelessness.

“These grants will ensure local communities take a person-centered, trauma-informed approach as they help their most vulnerable residents transition to safe and stable housing,” said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Tomiquia Moss. “The Encampment Resolution Fund grants are infusing critical resources in communities up and down California so that unhoused Californians can access the essential housing and supportive services they need to achieve long-term stability.”

Source: Office of the CA Governor

Greater accountability

As a condition of receiving the funding, the awardees must agree to increased accountability and compliance measures. These new accountability measures build on the current requirements that all grantees adhere to state and federal laws, rules, and regulations related to construction, health and safety, labor, fair employment practices, environmental protection, equal opportunity, fair housing, and all other matters applicable and/or related to the ERF program.

The Governor’s new measures expressly require local governments to maintain a compliant housing element, as well as adhere to all planning, permitting, entitlement, fair housing, and homelessness laws.

Non-compliance with these measures may result in the state revoking and clawing back awarded funds in addition to potential enforcement actions by the state’s Housing Accountability Unit. This ensures that grant recipients remain accountable and protects state funding.

Source: Office of the CA Governor

Care, compassion, collaboration

Today’s announcement follows the Governor’s executive order urging local governments to adopt policies and plans consistent with the California Department of Transportation’s (CalTrans) existing encampment policy.

Prioritizing encampments that pose a threat to the life, health, and safety of the community, Caltrans provides advance notice of clearance and works with local service providers to support those experiencing homelessness at the encampment, and stores personal property collected at the site for at least 60 days.

Since July 2021, California has cleared more than 12,000 encampments and has removed 267,611 cubic yards of debris from encampments along the state right of way in preparation for Clean California projects.

Source: Office of the CA Governor

Delegated Maintenance Agreements

The Governor also announced today a new collaborative program that will help streamline the cleanup of encampments by establishing agreements between the state and targeted local communities. The agreements will remove jurisdictional boundaries and allow locals to address encampments on state property and receive reimbursement for their efforts.

To help provide additional guidance and direction for local governments, the California Interagency Council on Homelessness has posted webinars and resources to help communities address encampments.

Below are the other 10 cities, three counties and two Continuums of Care awarded Round 3 ERF grants:

City of Berkeley – $5,395,637
City of Carlsbad – $2,994,225
City of Los Angeles – $11,351,281
City of Palm Springs – $5,106,731
City of Petaluma – $8,098,978
City of Redlands — $5,341,800
City of Sacramento — 18,199,661
City of San Jose —- $4,821,083
City of Victorville — $6,365,070
City of Visalia —- $3,000,000
County of Riverside — $12,612,779
County of San Bernardino — $11,000,000
City and County of San Francisco – $7,975,486
Humboldt County — Continuum of Care – $3,784,294
Pasadena – Continuum of Care – $2,772,801

“Our team is energized by this opportunity to help bring people-centered, Housing First solutions to Californians who are unsheltered throughout the state,” said Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), which has administered ERF since the start of the 2024-25 fiscal year. “Combined with the investments in permanent supportive housing made possible by voter approval of Proposition 1, the state has unprecedented momentum to make monumental progress on a crisis of homelessness that has been growing for decades.”

The awards announced Friday utilize all remaining FY 2023-24 ERF funds. An additional appropriation of $150 million in the FY 2024-25 State Budget allowed HCD to award all eligible ERF Round 3, Window 2 applicants. The budget also included $100 million in ERF funds for FY 2025-26, bringing to $1 billion this investment to address encampments through proven housing solutions.

Each agency was required to apply for the ERF program.

The grants will provide stable, safe housing for individuals living in encampments in their respective communities. The awarded proposals will assist individuals living in encampments with compassion and dignity by providing a range of housing solutions: permanent housing; interim housing for individuals seeking coordinated entry system resources or housing vouchers; housing navigation services and rapid rehousing subsidies; support for accessing permanent housing by providing security deposits and other moving expenses; and allowing awardees to acquire property for housing.

Each agency was required to apply for the grant program

Pablo Espinoza, Deputy Director of Communications, CA Department of HCD Media and Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

DeSaulnier announces over $166 million to modernize the region’s transportation systems along I-680 Corridor

September 23, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Funding for Contra Costa Transportation Authority through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Will benefit two projects on I-680

By Mairead Glowacki, Communications Director at U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier

Washington, D.C. – Today, Monday, September 23, 2024, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced that the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) will receive over $166 million in funding he advocated for to the Department of Transportation (DOT) that will help to improve safety, reduce congestion, and reduce air pollution along the I-680 corridor through Contra Costa County. This funding was made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and longtime champion for policies that would reduce commute times, cut harmful pollution, and improve our quality of life, I was proud to advocate for this funding and am delighted it has been granted and will begin making a difference in the lives of Bay Area and California residents,” said DeSaulnier. “I am thankful to CCTA and DOT for their partnership in working to improve transportation across our region.”

“The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for his support in securing this monumental award. This federal grant speaks to the Congressman’s long-standing leadership in transportation and vision for our community,” said Tim Haile, Executive Director, CCTA. “Interstate 680 (I-680) is critical to the region’s economy and prosperity. It provides for the movement of goods, services, and people throughout northern California and beyond. Thousands rely on this corridor and increased congestion has led to unacceptable delays. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority is excited to advance the I-680 corridor through focused modernizations that will maximize efficiency and promote shared transportation. We are grateful for Congressman DeSaulnier’s dedication to improving quality of life and embracing innovation at both the local and national levels.”

Will Benefit Two Projects on I-680

This funding will go to two projects in Contra Costa County, which are part of the INNOVATE 680 Program, to complete the northbound I-680 express lane gap from SR-24 to SR-242 and convert the existing northbound High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane from SR-242 to north of Arthur Road into an express lane, construct a braided ramp system between North Main Street and Treat Boulevard interchanges in Walnut Creek to address an existing bottleneck caused by weaving at this location, and implement Coordinated Adaptive Ramp Metering for a 19-mile segment of NB I-680.

More information about this funding can be found in the letters Congressman DeSaulnier sent to DOT in support of this grant.

Congressman DeSaulnier has been a longtime champion of improving transportation in the Bay Area and along the I-680 corridor, including by consistently supporting CCTA in its work to advance projects that innovate our transportation systems, ease congestion, and make our roadways safer.

Glazer announces $2.5 million incentive program for construction of 350 ADUs in Contra Costa, Alameda counties

September 6, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

15 cities eligible to participate in ADU Accelerator Program

By Steven Harmon, Policy Analyst/Communications, Office of State Senator Steve Glazer

SACRAMENTO – Senator Steve Glazer, D-Contra Costa, announced a newly created program to encourage the construction of hundreds of Accessory Dwelling Units in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.

The ADU Accelerator Program, secured in the budget through Senator Glazer’s efforts, offers rebates of up to $15,000 for qualifying ADU plans and projects. This $2.5 million state-funded initiative is intended to facilitate the construction of 350 ADUs among the 15 cities and towns in the East Bay.

“It is no secret the State of California is facing a shortage of available and affordable housing, and no one knows this better than our local cities and towns,” Glazer said. “From my first days in the State Senate, I have been a staunch supporter of cities seeking new and unique ways to spur the production of housing while blending new developments within the fabric of their communities.”

“I’m hoping that cities in my district can show what can be achieved when cities work together with the state on an incentivized program aimed at producing more affordable housing,” Senator Glazer said.

The program, approved in the 2023 budget, will be administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

The 15 cities are: Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, Dublin, Lafayette, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, San Ramon, Walnut Creek in Contra Costa County and Livermore and Pleasanton in Alameda County.

Qualifying cities must have a Certified Housing Element that meets the substantial compliance requirements of Housing and Community Development.

Following is an overview of the new program along with guidelines to apply and receive funds. ADU-Program-Overview

Senate District 7 – ADU Accelerator Program | GUIDELINES

Program Overview

Some cities are taking steps to encourage and facilitate the construction of ADUs through the development of permit-ready plans, including architectural design work. Other cities are waiving processing fees to bring down the cost of housing.

This new program will be piloted by Senator Glazer’s District 7, composed of 15 cities in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. The program will be administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the purpose of advancing or “accelerating” the production of 350 ADUs through a series of programs.

Program Funding

Section 19.564 of the Budget Act of 2023 provides $2,500,000 to be allocated by the California Department of Housing and Community Development for implementation of the ADU Accelerator Program (“Program”) to grant funds to cities for the creation of pre-approved permit-ready accessory dwelling unit plans and an incentive program.

Program Eligibility

Fifteen (15) cities located in Senate District 7, including: Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, Dublin, Lafayette, Livermore, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasanton, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek.
Qualifying cities must have a Certified Housing Element that meets the substantial compliance requirements of Housing and Community Development.

Program Details

Incentive Program. Available Funding: $1,725,000
Low-Income Restricted ADUs

Provide individual rebates of up to $15,000 to property owners who obtain building permits to construct an ADU and receive a certificate of occupancy within 18 months of issuance. Rebates will be provided for units that are deed restricted to low-income households for a minimum of 20 years; based upon the following sliding scale:

$15,000 for units < 50 square feet
$10,000 for units between 501-750 square feet
$5,000 for units between 751-1,000 square feet
No rebates for units over 1,000 square feet.

Non-restrictedADUs

Provide individual rebates of up to $7,500 to property owners who obtain building permits to construct an ADU and receive a certificate of occupancy within 18 months of issuance. Rebates will be provided for units that are deed restricted to low-income households for a minimum of 20 years. Funds are awarded based upon the following sliding scale:

$7,500 for units < 50 square feet
$5,000 for units between 501-750 square feet
$2,500 for units between 751-1,000 square feet
No rebates for units over 1,000 square feet.

Example:

City of Dublin has a population of 72,917 (as of January 1, 2024)
Per Capita: $1.87
Eligible for Award of $136,352 ($1.87 per capita x 72,917 population)
Divided by average of $5,000 per unit (unrestricted)

Potential ADUs Added: 27 ADUs

Permit Ready Prototype ADU Plans. Available Funding: $750,000

Qualified cities receive funding toward preparing prototypical permit-ready ADU plans (“ADU Plans”), including design elevations and construction drawings. Permit-ready plans are intended to streamline the ADU development process and facilitate additional ADU development in the community. Cities may partner with other cities on applications in this category to leverage investment. The maximum grant per city will be $50,000.

Cities may not be reimbursed for permit-ready ADU plans that were prepared prior to the launch of this program. Program funds may be used to modify or update existing permit-ready ADU plans or to create additional permit-ready ADU plans. Cities may also seek compensation from other eligible cities they share plans with.

Application Process

To receive funds, qualified cities must complete and submit an electronic application to the Town of Danville, Fiscal Agent. All funds must be expended as prescribed below and no later than September 30, 2026, after which these funds would be considered unexpended “Excess Funds” subject to re-allocation.

Incentive Program

An application must include (a) the anticipated number of units proposed to be produced through the program; and (b) amount requested based on the per capita amount identified in the Funding Eligibility section.

Funding will be distributed to cities upon receipt of the application. Any unused funding must be returned to the Town of Danville, Fiscal Agent, at the end of the 18-month period and may be reallocated to cities that meet their targets and have additional need.

Permit-Ready Prototype ADU Plans

An application must include (a) brief description of the plans to be developed including the number of floor plans and ADU sizes; and (b) requested funding amount. The maximum funding is $50,000 per agency. Cities may partner with other eligible cities on applications in this category to leverage funding investment.

Funding will be distributed to cities upon receipt of the application. Permit-ready plans must be completed and available to prospective permittees within 12 months of grant award and include a city resolution adopting the ADU Plans.

Excess Funds

Any funding that has not been expended pursuant to these program guidelines by September 30, 2026, must be returned to the Fiscal Agent, the Town of Danville. These Excess Funds will be reallocated to other eligible agencies pursuant to the Incentive Program Guidelines. Funds will be re-allocated on a first come, first served basis. In the event of multiple requests, consideration will be given to which city or cities will generate the largest number of affordable units.

Application Deadlines

Applications are accepted via electronic submittal only

Incentive Program: September 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025 (may be extended if additional funds are available to be rolled over from the Permit-Ready program).

Permit-Ready Prototype ADU Plans: September 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025.

Program Administration

As authorized through the California Budget Act of 2023 and the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the Town of Danville will act as the fiscal agent (“Fiscal Agent”) to receive funding applications and distribute Program funds. The Town of Danville will receive a 1% fee ($25,000) for administering the program.

General program questions can be directed to Planning Division c/o Jessica Lam, Town of Danville at jlam@danville.ca.gov or (925) 314-3337.

Applications and application-related correspondence can be directed to SD7.ADUProgram@danville.ca.gov.

Biannual Reporting

Eligible recipients will be required to submit Biannual Progress Reports which summarize the number of ADUs that have been permitted and finaled for the reporting period as well as cumulatively for the life of the program through September 30, 2027.

Biannual Progress Reports will be filed with the Fiscal Agent at SD7.ADUProgram@danville.ca.gov.

*Applications are accepted via electronic submittal only

Newsom vetoes bill to include illegal immigrants in CA home loan program

September 6, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Cites “finite funding”; would have qualified some for up to $150,000 or 20% down payment; signs 5 other bills

By Allen D. Payton

In a message to the California State Assembly on Thursday, Sept. 6, Governor Gavin Newsom explained his veto of AB1840, Home Purchase Assistance Program: eligibility by Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) that it’s due to limited funds. He wrote:

“To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 1840 without my signature.

This bill seeks to prohibit the disqualification of applicants from one of California Housing Finance Agency’s (CalHFA) home purchase assistance programs based solely on their immigration status.

Given the finite funding available for CalHFA programs, expanding program eligibility must be carefully considered within the broader context of the annual state budget to ensure we manage our resources effectively.

For this reason, I am unable to sign this bill.”

Source: Office of the Governor of California

The bill would have allowed some illegal immigrants in California to qualify for the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loan program, which would have been renamed under the bill to the Home Purchase Assistance Program, and receive up to $150,000 for a 20% downpayment to purchase their first home.

Newsom also announced on Thursday the bills he signed into law:

AB 1170 by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) – Political Reform Act of 1974: filing requirements.

AB 1770 by the Committee on Emergency Management – Emergency services: Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission: seismic mitigation and earthquake early warning technology.

AB 2094 by Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-Modesto) – Alcoholic beverage control: public community college stadiums: City of Bakersfield.

AB 2436 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) – Cattle: inspections: fees.

AB 2721 by the Committee on Agriculture – Food and agriculture: omnibus bill.

For full text of the bills, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

CA legislature passes bill to give home loan assistance to illegal immigrants

August 28, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Up to $150,000 for a 20% down payment, awaits Newsom’s signature or veto

Glazer against, Skinner votes for, Grayson, Wilson, Bauer-Kahan, Wilson also in favor

By Allen D. Payton

The California State Senate passed the bill, on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, to give home loan down payments to illegal immigrants on a 25-14 vote with 1 Democrat abstaining from voting. It follows the action in May by the Assembly, which passed it on a 56-15 vote with 6 Democrats and 3 Republicans not voting. Now the controversial Assembly Bill 1840 is on Governor Newsom’s desk awaiting his decision.

State Senator Nancy Skinner (D-SD9) who represents portions of West Contra Costa County voted yes, while State Senator Steve Glazer (D-SD7), who represents the rest of the county, voted against the bill authored by Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula (D-AD31) of Fresno. As previously reported, all four Assemblymembers representing Contra Costa County, including Tim Grayson (D-AD15), Lori Wilson (D-AD11), Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-AD16) and Buffy Wicks (D-AD14), voted to pass the bill.

It would expand eligibility of the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loan program, to be renamed under the bill to the Home Purchase Assistance Program, by removing any disqualifications based on an applicant’s immigration status. If approved, illegal immigrants could enter the lottery system under the program and qualify for the 20% in down payment assistance up to $150,000.

However, not all illegal immigrants would qualify for the program. Under AB 1840, only those with taxpayer ID numbers or Social Security numbers could apply. According to the language of the bill “This bill would specify that an applicant who meets all other requirements for a loan under the program and who is otherwise eligible under applicable federal and state law, shall not be disqualified solely based on the applicant’s immigration status.”

According to a June 28, 2024, press release from the governor’s office, out of 18,000 people who applied to the program this year, only 1,700 were chosen and according to a report by KQED, in 2013, the program ran out of money in the first 11 days. The bill would greatly expand the number of applicants, due to the California Dream program targeting low- to middle-income first-time buyers.

According to the program details, “The Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loan is a down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers to be used in conjunction with the Dream For All Conventional first mortgage for down payment and/or closing costs. Upon sale or transfer of the home, the homebuyer repays the original down payment loan, plus a share of the appreciation in the value of the home.” In addition, one borrower must be a first-generation homebuyer and all borrowers must be first-time homebuyers.

Contact the Governor

To contact the governor to offer your input on how he should respond to the bill use the online form on the office’s website at www.gov.ca.gov/contact/. But you’ll have to select Immigration Issues/Concerns and write AB1840 in the comment as it is not currently in the Active Bills list. You can also call Newsom’s office at (916) 445-2841 and leave a message with or for his staff.

ABAG, BAHFA leaders withdraw $20 billion housing bond measure from November ballot

August 14, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

High-density, high-rise housing construction would have been funded by the bond measure. Photo: BAHFA

Removed from all nine Bay Area counties after Contra Costa attorney opposed to measure filed lawsuit claiming ballot language was slanted, forced BAHFA to correct more than $240 million error

20 Billion Reasons opposition campaign responds

By Allen D. Payton

Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) Chair Alfredo Pedroza and Belia Ramos, president of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)’s Executive Board today, Wednesday, August 14, 2024, issued a joint statement following BAHFA’s decision this morning to remove a $20 billion general obligation bond measure for the production and preservation of affordable housing from the November 5 general election ballot in all nine Bay Area counties:

“The BAHFA Board’s decision to withdraw the affordable housing bond measure from this November’s ballot is not one that was taken lightly. The Bay Area’s housing affordability crisis has been decades in the making and is far too big for any one city or county to solve on its own. This is the reason the state Legislature established BAHFA. A robust source of funding for safe and affordable housing across our diverse, nine-county region is essential to the Bay Area’s economic and environmental health and to its residents’ quality of life.

The decision followed the action of a group of Bay Area residents, known as Opportunity Now, who opposed the $20 billion regional housing bond measure and filed a court challenge on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, to Regional Measure 4’s (RM4) 75-word ballot question claiming it was slanted.

Source: Opportunity Now

Following is the press release from the group announcing the lawsuit, entitled “BAHFA blunders on ballot language for Bay Area tax measure” and “Gets busted for wildly lowballing cost to taxpayers”:

“Talk about misinformation. The discredited Bay Area Housing Finance Authority yesterday admitted that they’d misrepresented in ballot language the annual cost to taxpayers of the mammoth bond by (hold on) more than $240 million (you read that right) per year.

“The Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA), a recently created regional agency, placed RM4 on the November 5 ballot. The unprecedented size of the bond measure has already drawn opposition.

The 20BillionReasons.com group helped pull together ballot arguments rebutting the claims for the measure. The lawsuit asserts that the ballot question is slanted to prejudice voters to vote in favor of the measure.

BAHFA conducted multiple polls to test various phrases in relation to the measure and picked the most popular ones. The lawsuit asserts that the ballot question contains a series of phrases that are not found in the language of the measure. The legal standard is that the ballot question must be an accurate synopsis.

Opponents’ Attorney Jason Bezis sent BAHFA a letter last Friday demanding a series of nine language changes to remove prejudicial language. Opponents assert that the true annual cost of the measure is nearly 36% higher than the amount shown in the ballot question.

The very name of the measure is deceptive: Bay Area Affordable Plan. This measure’s taxes will make the Bay Area even less affordable. In response, BAHFA held a special meeting of its Executive Committee this morning.

The lawsuit has already had success: The Committee adopted General Counsel Kathleen Kane’s recommendation “to correct the Ballot Question for Regional Measure 4 by deleting ‘$670,000,000’ from the Ballot Question and replacing it with ‘$910,976,423’.” No other changes to the ballot question were adopted today.

General Counsel Kane described this as a “mathematical error”. Plaintiff Marc Joffe retorted: “How can the public trust an agency that can’t do basic arithmetic with nearly $50 billion of its taxes? Ridiculous.”

“By law, Regional Measure 4 is coordinated by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, so the Santa Clara County Superior Court is where this challenge was filed. The final language of the RM4 ballot question will now be determined by the court. See www.NoOnRM4.com for further information.”

“This public body, MTC in the form BAHFA, they finally acknowledged the public is not willing to support more taxes. It’s completely new to them. They’ve never recognized it before. They exist in this world in which the public is there to give them all the resources they want to monkey around with,” said David Schonbrunn, paralegal for the lawsuit said after the measure was removed from the ballot. “The worst part is MTC, when it comes to their transportation decision making, they have a dismal record on outcomes. Their outcomes are horrible. What I see them doing is it’s all about political deal making and it’s not about delivering solutions to the public.”

The BAHFA statement continued, “The BAHFA Board has always understood that it would be a steep climb to establish this source of funding. Recent developments have led the Board to conclude that the wise choice is to look ahead to another election season for a regional housing measure when there is more certainty and the voters have weighed in affirmatively on Proposition 5.

“In the meantime, BAHFA will continue to work on increasing the production of housing at all income levels, to preserve existing affordable housing, and to protect current residents from displacement. This includes maintaining, refining and expanding pilot programs such as the online Doorway Housing portal that makes it easier for prospective tenants to find and apply for affordable housing throughout the region and easier for developers and property managers to lease up their apartments; working to move thousands of planned housing units through the predevelopment pipeline; and implementing innovative programs to preserve affordable housing and prevent homelessness.

“BAHFA’s commitment to a regional approach toward solving the Bay Area’s housing affordability problems is stronger than ever. When the climb toward passage of a regional revenue measure resumes, the Board looks forward to teaming with every one of the Bay Area’s nine counties and 101 cities; and with the hundreds of other public, private and nonprofit partners who already have invested so much energy into this effort. Their work to prepare for a November bond measure, and the relationships built along the way, have laid a strong foundation for future success. Each step brings us closer to the summit.”

BAHFA is jointly governed by the ABAG’s Executive Board and by the BAHFA Board, which is comprised of the same membership as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). BAHFA and MTC Chair Pedroza and ABAG Executive Board President Ramos both also serve as members of the Napa County Board of Supervisors.

20 Billion Reasons Campaign Responds

In response to the withdrawal of the measure from the ballot, the opposition campaign, 20 Billion Reasons, responded with their own statement on Wednesday, August 14, 2024:

“This morning, the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) voted to pull Regional Measure 4, the $20 billion dollar regional bond measure, off the November ballot. Gus Mattammal, President of the 20 Billion Reasons campaign to defeat the bond measure in November, hailed the move.

Said Mattammal, “This decision is a win for Bay Area taxpayers, and a win for affordable housing. To address housing affordability in a meaningful way, we have to address root causes, not soak taxpayers for billions of dollars to pay bonds that would waste two thirds of their tax money on interest and overhead while barely making a dent in the issue.”

The 20 Billion Reasons campaign brought together Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Independents in a single campaign, a rarity in recent times, but a necessity.

“Actually, working on the root causes of the housing crisis in California – a crisis created by our legislature and the corporate interests to which they are beholden – is politically difficult. It’s much easier to simply raise taxes,” said Mattammal. “That’s why it’s so important for voters to say ‘no’ to deeply flawed proposals such as Regional Measure 4: every time we do say no, it helps create the political conditions to work on the problem in a meaningful way.”

Though Regional Measure 4 is off the ballot for November, many other expensive proposals remain on that ballot. The $20 Billion Reasons campaign team is excited to regroup and consider the best way forward to help ensure that Bay Area taxpayers are getting real solutions for the taxes they pay and that they have a real voice in what is done with their tax money.”

John Goodwin, Assistant Director of Communications, Rebecca Long, Director, Legislation & Public Affairs, Metropolitan Transportation Commission contributed to this report.

CA Controller publishes 2023 payroll data for state government, superior courts, CSU’s

August 7, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

399,000 positions paid almost $29 billion in total wages

Includes Contra Costa Superior Court and Cal State East Bay data

SACRAMENTO — State Controller Malia M. Cohen has published the 2023 self-reported payroll data for state departments, superior courts, and California State Universities (CSU) on the Government Compensation in California website. The data covers more than 399,000 positions and approximately $28.87 billion in total wages for those agencies and institutions.

Users of the site can view compensation levels on maps and search by region, narrow results by name of the entity or by job title, and export raw data or custom reports.

The newly published data were reported by:

24 CSU institutions (116,235 employees),
56 superior courts (20,884 employees), and
157 state departments (262,097 employees).

California law requires cities, counties, and special districts to annually report compensation data to the State Controller. The State Controller also maintains and publishes state and CSU salary data. However, no such statutory requirement exists for the University of California, California community colleges, superior courts, fairs and expositions, First 5 commissions, or K-12 education providers; their reporting is voluntary. Two superior courts either did not file or filed a report that was non-compliant, including those in Alameda County and Tuolumne County.

The site contains pay and benefit information on more than two million government jobs in California, as reported annually by each entity.

Contra Costa County Superior Court

As of Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, the information provided for the Contra Costa Superior Court shows 413 employees were paid $35,892,317 in total wages and $13,761,517 in total retirement & health contribution for a total of $49,653,834 in total compensation, or $120,227.20 on average.

In addition, the report shares, “This superior court includes payments toward the unfunded liability of the employer sponsored retirement plan.” For more information visit www.cc-courts.org/general/administration.aspx.

Cal State East Bay

As of Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, the information provided for California State University, East Bay shows 3,651 employees were paid a total wages of $132,664,169 and $58,874,273 in total retirement & health contribution, for a total of $191,538,442 in compensation or $52,461.91 on average. That doesn’t take into account the many part-time positions for the two-campus university.

In addition, the report shares, “This California State University includes payments toward the unfunded liability of the employer sponsored retirement plan.” For more information visit www.csueastbay.edu/hr.

The State Controller’s Government Compensation in California website provides information on employee pay and benefits for approximately 2 million positions at more than 5,000 public employers. Public employers annually report employee compensation to the State Controller’s Office. It allows the public to view and search employee job titles, build charts and graphics, and download custom reports and raw data.

About Controller Cohen

As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Cohen is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The Controller has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds. She is a member of numerous financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board. She also serves on the boards for the nation’s two largest public pension funds. Follow the Controller on X at @CAController and on Facebook at California State Controller’s Office.

Lamorinda cities, County work together to saves construction dollars

July 14, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Patchwork being performed on a residential street in Lafayette. Photo: City of Lafayette

The City of Lafayette has sought opportunities to combine relatively small projects with the City of Orinda, Town of Moraga, and Contra Costa County to take on larger, less expensive projects for each public agency.

This ultimately means more efficient use of taxpayer dollars, improved infrastructure, and a better overall quality of life for residents in each participating community.

Through these joint efforts, the cities can use economies of scale for construction projects and save money because the contractor’s overhead becomes a smaller percentage of the overall project costs.

“This can take the form of lower unit prices for asphalt pavement and surface seal materials or an increase in the number of bidders, thus a more competitive bidding environment,” explained Mike Moran, the Director of Engineering and Public Works for the City of Lafayette, CA.

Lafayette has collaborated with the City of Orinda, Town of Moraga, and Contra Costa County to combine smaller projects into one large project that is more cost-effective for each public agency. Two recent examples of such projects include the following:

2019 Surface Seal Project with the town of Moraga; Lafayette spent $391,000, and Moraga spent $1.5 million.
2022 Surface Seal Project with the town of Moraga and Contra Costa County; Lafayette spent $2 million, Moraga spent $418,000, and the County spent $60,000.

“By collaborating with our neighboring cities and the County, we spent less money and fostered stronger working relationships with our neighbors,” says Lafayette Engineering Services Manager Matt Luttropp.

According to City Manager Niroop Srivatsa, the City continuously seeks ways to save money and secure more. “Additional funding is necessary to maintain the City’s infrastructure, with a particular focus on road maintenance needs,” Srivatsa concludes.

About The City of Lafayette

Lafayette is a charming small community located in Contra Costa County, 30 miles from The City of Oakland. It’s known for its beautiful green hills, excellent schools, and miles of hiking trails, making it an attractive place to live. The City has a population of more than 25,000 highly educated residents, with 75.2% of them holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Additionally, 73.6% of the homes in Lafayette are owner-occupied. The median home value is $1,914,700, while the median household income is $219,250. The total area of the city is 15.22 square miles.

For more information, email LafayetteListens@LoveLafayette.org, call (925) 299-3206 , or visit www.LoveLafayette.org.

CCC Workforce Development Board wants input on Measure X-funded youth centers plan

July 2, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Source: Contra Costa County

Review deadline: July 10

By Office of Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover

We need your feedback!

The Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC) and the Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) invite you to review and provide feedback on the draft document titled “Implementation Plan for Measure X-Funded Youth Centers.”

According to the county’s website, “Measure X is a countywide 20-year, ½ cent sales tax approved by Contra Costa County voters on November 3, 2020. The ballot measure language stated that the intent of Measure X is ‘to keep Contra Costa’s regional hospital open and staffed; fund community health centers, emergency response; support crucial safety-net services; invest in early childhood services; protect vulnerable populations; and for other essential county services.’”

The document outlines the plans for three new youth centers in Supervisorial Districts 3, 4, and 5. Your input is crucial and will help county policymakers and administrators shape the design and implementation of these centers.

Public Review Period: July 1 – July 10, 2024, until 5:00 PM.

To access the document and submit your feedback, please click here: https://www.wdbccc.com/measure-x-youth-centers/

Your participation in this process is invaluable. Thank you for helping us make a difference in our community!

CHP distributes over $25 million in grants to fight impaired driving

July 2, 2024 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Photo: CHP

Marijuana tax proceeds given to law enforcement agencies, crime labs & nonprofits

Three Contra Costa agencies benefit

By Synthia Ramirez, CHP Media Relations

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) announced today more than $25 million in grant funding to 102 California law enforcement agencies, crime laboratories, local government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to help address the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The grants are the result of Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act, which tasked the CHP with administering grants for education, prevention, and enforcement programs to help communities combat impaired driving. Money is also available to crime laboratories conducting forensic toxicology testing. Funding for the grants comes from a tax on the sale of cannabis and cannabis products sold in California.

“The substantial increase in the amount of grant funds being dispersed this year to even more recipients will help make California’s roadways safer for all who use them,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “The funds will be allocated to enhance traffic safety by educating the public about the dangers of impaired driving, conducting enforcement operations to remove impaired drivers from the roads, and advancing research on this critical issue.”

Eighty-two recipients of law enforcement grants will use funds to address impaired driving within their communities. In addition to traditional impaired driving enforcement, funds will also be used for drug recognition evaluator training to enhance their respective agency’s ability to detect drug-impaired drivers. Additionally, funding will allow for public outreach campaigns, including educational presentations and community events.

Listed below are the law enforcement grant recipients for state fiscal year 2024-2025, which begins July 1:

Angels Camp Police
Arroyo Grande Police Department
Auburn Police Department
Azusa Police Department
Baldwin Park Police Department
Barstow Police Department
Bell Gardens Police Department
Berkeley Police Department
Brawley Police Department
Brea Police Department
Burbank Police Department
Calexico Police Department
Calistoga Police Department
Chula Vista Police Department
Citrus Heights Police Department
City of Corona Police Department
City of El Monte Police Department
City of Fullerton Police Department
City of Glendale Police Department
City of Huron Police Department
City of Lodi Police Department
City of Montebello Police Department
City of Palo Alto Police Department
City of Visalia Police Department
Claremont Police Department
Covina Police Department
Danville Police Department
Dixon Police Department
Dublin Police Services
El Cajon Police Department
El Centro Police Department
El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office
Emeryville Police Department
Folsom Police Department
Galt Police Department
Garden Grove Police Department
Gilroy Police Department
Greenfield Police Department
Grover Beach Police Department
Hanford Police Department
Hayward Police Department
Huntington Beach Police Department
Imperial County Sheriff’s Office
Irvine Police Department
La Habra Police Department
La Mesa Police Department
La Palma Police Department
Lakeport Police Department
Lincoln Police Department
Los Angeles Police Department
Manteca Police Department
Marysville Police Department
Menifee Police Department
Modoc County Sheriff’s Office
Montebello School Police
Monterey Park Police Department
Morgan Hill Police Department
Napa Police Department
Oceanside Police Department
Oakland Police Department
Ontario Police Department
Orange Police Department
Oxnard Police Department
Pacifica Police Department
Petaluma Police Department
Pismo Beach Police Department
Pittsburg Police Department
Riverside Police Department
Rocklin Police Department
San Bruno Police Department
San Diego Police Department
San Fernando Police Department
San Gabriel Police Department
San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office
Shasta County Sheriff’s Office
Sierra Madre Police Department
Simi Valley Police Department
Soledad Police Department
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department
Sutter County Sheriff’s Office
Union City Police Department
Wheatland Police Department

Nine recipients of education grants will use funds to teach local communities about impaired driving laws, while highlighting the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Below are the education grant recipients for state fiscal year 2024-2025:

Amador County Sheriff’s Office
Chino Police Department
City of Lancaster
City of Long Beach
County of Solano-District Attorney’s Office
Imperial County Sheriff’s Office
Sacramento County District Attorney Laboratory of Forensic Services
Solano County Office of Education
Tulare County Office of Education

Eight recipients of two-year toxicology crime laboratory grants will use funds to eliminate backlogs in the analysis of forensic science evidence and to purchase and/or upgrade laboratory equipment to improve testing capabilities.

Below are the toxicology crime laboratory grant recipients for state fiscal years 2024-2026:

Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff, Forensic Services Division
Imperial County Sheriff’s Office
Oakland Police Department Crime Lab
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, City and County of San Francisco
Orange County (CA) Crime Laboratory
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office
Ventura County Forensic Services Bureau

Three recipients of two-year toxicology medical examiners/coroner’s office grants will use funds to help improve and advance the data collection in cases involving driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Below is the medical examiners/coroner’s office grant recipient for state fiscal year 2024-2026:

Imperial County Sheriff’s Office
Orange County Sheriff’s Department Coroner’s Division
San Diego Medical Examiner Department

The application process for future grant funding is expected to open again in early 2025. Additional information is available on the CHP website, at CHP’s Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide safety, service, and security.

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