BILL ANALYSIS
SB 608
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Date of Hearing: July 8, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Norma Torres, Chair
SB 608 (Ducheny) - As Introduced: February 27, 2009
SENATE VOTE : 37-0
SUBJECT : Housing bond fund expenditures report
SUMMARY : This bill would require that cumulative information
on programs funded under the Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust
Fund Acts of 2002 and 2006 be included in the Department of
Housing and Community Development's (HCD) annual report.
Specifically, this bill requires that HCD's annual report break
out the required information for each program funded by
Proposition 46 or Proposition 1C, respectively, and include a
cumulative total of this information for all funds distributed
under Proposition 46 and Proposition 1C.
EXISTING LAW (Health & Safety Code Section 50408):
1)Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds
(Proposition 46: $2.1 billion and Proposition 1C: $2.8
billion) to finance various existing housing programs as well
as additional programs such as capital outlay related to
infill development and housing-related parks programs. HCD
oversees the distribution funds in of almost all of these
programs.
2)Requires that HCD submit an annual report to the Governor and
the Legislature detailing the operations and accomplishments
of the housing programs administered by the department in the
previous fiscal year to include:
a) The number of units assisted by HCD programs.
b) The number of individuals and households served and
their income levels.
c) The distribution of units among various areas of the
state.
d) The amount of other public and private funds leveraged
by the assistance provided by those programs.
e) Information detailing the assistance provided to various
groups of persons by programs that are targeted to assist
those groups.
SB 608
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FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown.
COMMENTS :
In 2002, California voters approved Proposition 46, the $2.1
billion Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act.
Proposition 46 provided funding for the following programs:
Multifamily Housing Program; Emergency Housing Assistance
Program; Supportive Housing; Farmworker Housing Grant Program;
CalHome Program; Local Housing Trusts; Code Enforcement Program;
California Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance Program; and Jobs
Housing Improvement Account.
Funds provided under Proposition 46 were for the most part
exhausted at the end of 2006.
In November 2006, California voters approved Proposition 1C, the
Housing and Emergency Trust Fund Act of 2006. Proposition 1C
maintains funding provided under Proposition 46 for most, but
not all, of the programs noted above. Additionally, Proposition
1C establishes funding mechanisms for infrastructure related to
housing development.
According to the author, SB 608 would require the current report
issued by HCD to include more information on the programs funded
under the 2002 and 2006 Housing Bonds, thereby improving
oversight of those programs.
SB 608 would request the following information on programs
funded under the Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of
2002 and 2006:
The number of units assisted by those programs.
The number of individuals and households served and
their income levels.
The distribution of units among various areas of the
state.
The amount of other public and private funds leveraged
by the assistance provided by those programs.
Information detailing the assistance provided to various
groups of persons by programs that are targeted to assist
those groups.
A cumulative total for each item of information
required.
SB 608
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According to Aging Services of California, access to credible,
relevant and timely data is critical to any public policy
debate. Not only does it identify accomplishments, it also
provides insight into potential gaps that may exist. By
requiring HCD to collect information and submit an annual report
to the Legislature, SB 608 will help ensure that any policy
debate related to housing is informed by facts.
Related legislation : This bill is the same as SB 546 (Ducheny,
2007) which passed out of this committee 7-0 and died on the
Assembly Inactive File.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None on file.
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Lisa Engel / H. & C.D. / (916) 319-2085