Letter from the Executive Director – 2016 Election

Dear Friends and Colleagues of EBALDC,

Rarely has an election mattered more. With a wide range of measures on the upcoming ballot, this year’s election is critical. Our neighborhoods, city, state, and country are at a crossroads, and your vote is indispensable in determining the future of the Bay Area.

This year’s ballot will be one of the longest many of us have ever seen, but please make the time to read it all the way through! There are many affordable housing funding measures that will address renter’s rights, the ongoing reductions in state and federal resources, and the deepening affordability crisis faced across our city and county.

Here are the measures that EBALDC supports:

YES on Measure KK: Oakland’s Infrastructure Bond

In addition to providing a $500 million down payment on Oakland’s $2.5 billion backlog of infrastructure improvements, a yes vote on Measure KK will allow us to invest in neighborhoods throughout Oakland, protect low-income families from being displaced, and improve the infrastructure that makes Oakland a great place to live and raise a family. In specific, the bond will support the acquisition and rehabilitation of housing for vulnerable communities, including teachers, caregivers, administrative workers, artists, clergy and nonprofit workers. In addition, the bond will invest in safer streets and sidewalks, improved libraries and parks, and upgrades to our public safety buildings and fire stations—to renovate them, make them more environmentally sustainable and less costly to maintain. Learn more at the Measure KK Fact Sheet.

YES on Measure JJ: Oakland’s Renter Protection Act of 2016

The Renter Protection Act expands renters’ rights by strengthening the accountability and transparency of the Rent Board, managing rent increases, and illegal evictions to help long-time residents stay in Oakland. Other protections for renters include relocation assistance when a tenant is required to relocate through no fault of their own, annual notices of allowable rent increases in multiple languages and keeping the exemption of owner-occupied duplexes and triplexes. For more information, please visit Protect Oakland Renters.

YES on Measure A1: The Alameda County Housing Bond

Measure A1 will help ensure that all residents of Alameda County can afford to live, work, and stay here for generations to come, with a variety of homeowner and rental housing programs to assist those who need it the most. The $580 million Alameda County Housing Bond will help expand and preserve affordable housing options by investing in affordable homes for low-income renters, homeownership, and an Innovation Fund to seek new solutions to our housing crisis. Every dollar raised stays in Alameda County. Independent annual audits ensure funds are spent as approved by voters. The passage of this bond measure in November will be a critical piece in providing needed affordable housing for vulnerable communities who really need our help, like low income families, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities. We need two-thirds of voters to help us bring more affordable housing to Alameda County! Please visit Yes on A1 for more information.

Support Letters Needed for AB 2031

The Senate approved AB 2031, a bill that will provide a key tool for local jurisdictions to help finance affordable homes and address the displacement and affordability crises faced by so many communities across our state. Local jurisdictions will be able to issue affordable housing bonds against the revenue stream of “boomerang funds,” the “net available revenues” received by cities and counties after the dissolution of redevelopment. The bill does not redirect property taxes from any other taxing entity and has no impact on California’s general fund. Visit the Governor’s website and ask Governor Brown to sign AB 2031, which is now on Governor Brown’s desk awaiting his signature. For more information, view the AB 2031 fact sheet and the City of Oakland’s sponsorship/support letter.

Remember: when you vote, our community grows stronger!  Please make your voice heard during this historical election.

See you at the polls!

Humbly yours,

Joshua Simon
Executive Director

P.S. If you have not already, EBALDC encourages everyone to register to vote for our November 8th election.