News from our Abode – Ushering in the New Year
As we usher in a new year and bid farewell to 2017, I’d like to invite you to join me in celebrating every victory, big and small. Most recently, the City of Los Angeles took a bold step by passing the Affordable Housing Linkage Fee Ordinance, which is estimated to produce a permanent source of funding for affordable housing in the sum of a $100 million annually. Angelenos overwhelmingly voted “Yes” on two significant ballot measures (Measure HHH and Measure H) that will produce much-needed public housing and vital social services for homeless and at-risk for homelessness families and individuals. What’s more, the California State Legislature passed a comprehensive housing legislative package signed by Governor Jerry Brown that will generate public subsidy for the production and preservation of affordable housing. Further, the package will also encourage local governments to support the production of affordable housing, as well as incentivize market-rate residential developers to incorporate affordable housing into their developments.
Considering the current political climate, these successes speak volumes about what can be accomplished when affordable housing advocates, grassroots organizers and government officials work toward our common goal of ending the affordable housing crisis.
For Abode Communities, these successes mean continuing our mission to double our residential portfolio throughout California by 2020, providing homes and critical social services to more than 9,000 low-income residents throughout Southern California.
Reaching these goals is not possible without our dedicated supporters and partners who work tirelessly in their respective fields to help bring our vision and mission to fruition. On the heels of our 50th anniversary next year, we look forward to seeing what lies ahead on this journey to build hope through housing.
Cheers and Happy Holidays.
Robin Hughes
President & CEO