AgdaPkt 2005-07-25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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//1 - // CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD UNDERCUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, JOBS, SMART GROWTH Senator Tom McClintock, Assemblymember These Measures Are Affordable Housing Doug laMalfa and several co-authors announced Killers. After the federal government, redevelop- on July 14 the introduction of SCA 15 (McClintock) ment is the biggest funder of affordable housing and ACA 22 (LaMalfa), identical constitutional projects in the state. And redevelopment is some- amendments that would prohibit local govem- times the only tool a community has to jump start ments from using eminent domain if it results in a revitalization of downtrodden, blighted communi- later use of the property by a private party (with a ties. few narrow exceptions for PUG-regulated entities and incidental uses). The senator is using the recent Supreme Court Kelo v. City of New London decision (a case that arose in Connecticut) to assert that that eminent domain strips families of their property and gives it to private economic interests. The League Opposes These Measures. These measures will strip redevelopment agen- cies of ä;eldom used, but critical tool that Califor- nia cities urgently need to build affordable housing for needy families, restore safe communities and generate jobs. Most important, this proposal is a solution in search of a problem. California is not Connecti- cut: we already have strong laws on the books protecting property owners and restricting the use of eminent domain. Redevelopment agencies may only use eminent domain as a last resort, and only where there is a clear finding of blight, as defined by state law. Land does not qualify simply because it is not being put to its optimum use or may be more valuable for other uses. These Measures are Job Killers. California is in the midst of an economic recovery, and these measures would kill valuable construction and other jobs that redevelopment projects create. Redevelopment is a significant economic and job- generating resource for California and local com- munities, responsible for more than $31.84 billion in economic activity and the creation of 310,000 full and part-time jobs in a single year. These projects and jobs create valuable revenue for state government and help with the state budget crisis. According to information from the state De- partment of Housing and Community Develop- ment and the State Controller, redevelopment is responsible for the construction of 63,406 units of affordable housing units since 1994, and 20,048 units of low- and moderate-income housing are expected to be built or refurbished as part of redevelopment projects over the next two years. Since 1997-98, agencies have assisted 88,711 households with obtaining affordable housing; 45 percent of this activity occurred in the last two reporting years. SCA 15 and ACA 22 will make housing in California less affordable and worsen our housing crisis. What You Can Do. With the Legislature starting its summer recess today, city officials will have a good opportunity to provide their legislators information about why these measures aren't needed in California and how they will hurt your city's ability to build affordable housing, generate jobs and restore public safety to blighted areas. Here is what we ask that you do: Tell legislators and the media about spe cific redevelopment projects in your city that have included new housing, improved public safety, generated jobs and eco- nomic activity. Explain how eminent domain is a seldom used, but critical tool to bring parties to the table to build affordable housing, remove blight, and create jobs. We will provide more information about this issue in the weeks ahead. . . PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 7 Visit the league's Official Website u www.cacities,org ~_..lr