August 30, 2008 - Legislature Passes Caballero Housing-Parks Reward Bill

AB 2494 Allocates $200 million in Bond Funds for Affordable Housing-Related Parks
SACRAMENTO – Cities and counties that build affordable housing will be rewarded with funding for a park, under the terms of a bill by Assembly Member Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) that was passed by the Legislature today.

Assembly Bill 2494 sets up the Housing-Related Parks Program under Proposition 1C, that allocates $200 million in park bond funds from the Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act, passed by the voters in 2006. The program would reward cities and counties that build affordable housing units by distributing bond funds for creating, developing, or rehabilitating park or recreation facilities.

“This bill represents an important policy shift in the way the state relates to local agencies,” said Caballero, a former mayor of Salinas. “It comes right out of my 15 years of experience in local government. We worked hard to do all the things the state said we should do. We adopted a general plan, and updated our housing plan. Then we worked to build the affordable housing our area so badly needs.

“But it costs to comply with state requirements. Affordable housing comes off the tax rolls, so city revenues are impacted just when you need more police, fire, schools, parks and libraries.

“Many communities resist building affordable housing. I’m hoping that cities that have said ‘no’ to affordable housing, will begin to say ‘yes’ when they realize that they will be eligible for park funding.”

AB 2494 was carefully crafted to award bonus funds for cities and counties that build units for extremely low income families; who have met or exceeded housing production thresholds required by state law; meet the definition of a park deficient community or if the facility will serve a disadvantaged community; or if the housing is infill housing or developed pursuant to a general plan consistent with a regional blueprint.

Cities and counties that can demonstrate housing starts that meet base grant criteria will automatically be awarded grant funds under AB 2494. Actual park funding will be appropriated next year, and will be available in 2010.

“This is all about creating incentives for cities and counties to do ‘the right thing,’” said Caballero. “If they do, they can be assured that they will receive money for parks.

“This will be good for all cities that build affordable housing, but I know it will benefit the hard working cities in my district.”

AB 2494 is supported by the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Affordable Homes Collaborative, AFSCME, the California Redevelopment Association, CALCOG, the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, the Council of Fresno County Governments, the League of California Cities, Western Center on Law & Poverty, the California Council of Land Trusts, the Trust for Public Land, California ReLeaf, and the cities of Coalinga, Orange Cove, Parlier, Salinas, and Wasco. There was no opposition.

AB 2494 will next be transmitted to the governor for his signature. If signed, the bill will become effective on January 1, 2009.