Santa Clara County – The Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County announced Monday August 1st that they are endorsing the County’s Affordable Housing Bond measure that will appear before voters on the upcoming November ballot. The Council of the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County represents the Leagues of Cupertino/Sunnyvale, Los Altos/Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose/Santa Clara, and Southwest Santa Clara Valley.
“This measure is a significant step in addressing the most pressing issue facing thousands of residents across our County — the lack of affordable housing options,” said Roberta Hollimon, Chair of the County Council of the Leagues of Women Voters. “The League supports the affordable housing bond for its ability to drive immediate and long-term positive outcomes and benefits for many individuals and families of Santa Clara County, from our homeless communities to our working families.”
Members of the League noted that the affordable housing measure supports a number of League positions. The League identified the bond as an important mechanism in addressing the homeless crisis in Santa Clara County, where the region is estimated to have the fourth largest homeless population of all major metropolitan areas in the nation.
“The affordable housing bond measure aligns with fundamental League positions, first and foremost supporting the basic human need that everyone should have access to a safe and affordable home,” said Hollimon. “The measure is consistent with our strong positions about clean air and climate change. By ensuring more affordable homes near job centers and transit, we will reduce traffic congestion and reduce polluting greenhouse gases.”
The League commended the measure language for its inclusion of strict financial accounting and public review provisions: Annual audits are required and will be reviewed by an independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee. Santa Clara County will work with private and non-profit housing construction companies to build the housing. They will also use portions of the funds for land acquisition to build the needed housing.
“We were pleased to see that the measure included unprecedented oversight and accountability mechanisms, as the League remains deeply committed to transparency and oversight in fiscal policy,” said Hollimon.
The $950 million affordable housing bond measure will create safe, affordable homes for the county’s community members, including homeless individuals, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and low-income and working families. If approved by 2/3 voters this November, the bond will provide $700 million for the creation of affordable housing for our most vulnerable communities, including supportive housing for the homeless; $100 million to create affordable housing for low-income families; and $150 million for affordable housing and programs for working families.