News

Veterans and Affordable Housing Act Gains Momentum with Chan Zuckerberg Initiative's Donation

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Joins Affordable Housing Community Groups, Businesses, and State and Local Leaders in Supporting Prop. 1

Sacramento, CA – The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has pledged support for Prop. 1, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Act, that will be on the November statewide ballot and will help build affordable housing for veterans, working families, people with disabilities, and other Californians experiencing homelessness or struggling to find a safe and affordable home.

Prop. 1 has support from a variety of organizations, including Dignity Health, Habitat for Humanity California, United Ways of California, California Association of Veterans Services Agencies, California Housing Consortium, Housing California, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, California League of Conservation Voters, the California League of Cities and more working to create more affordable housing options for Californians.

The measure will help more workers live in the same communities where they work, provide below-market interest rates with low- to no-down payment for veterans to buy homes and help low and very low-income households have access to affordable housing.

“Having a stable, affordable home – a place for you and your children to rest, eat and study – is crucial to family success, and Prop. 1 will help more families succeed. So many California families are working so hard and still must choose between food on the table or making the rent,” said Miriam Rodriguez, a community leader for the Residents United Network, a statewide grassroots organization working to empower affordable housing residents to advocate for housing and healthy communities in California and a mother of three girls who is saving up and dreams of having an affordable home of her own one day. “I want to see all of California’s children in healthy, peaceful homes where they can truly thrive, dream big and have the opportunity to make their dreams come true. Clean, safe, affordable homes are the bedrock of that vision and Prop. 1 will help us achieve it.”

“Prop. 1 gives help and hope to the many Californians who have been priced out of finding an affordable home in the communities they want to raise their families, work and thrive,” said Sen. Jim Beall, who represents District 15 (San Jose), authored Prop. 1 and serves as chairman of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. “Investing in Prop. 1 and affordable housing now makes good economic sense for all Californians and our communities.”

Governor Brown and California’s Legislature put Prop. 1 on the November 2018 ballot as part of a multi-pronged strategy to create more equitable, affordable housing options for California families. California voters are ready to take action, with more than 60% of likely voters already supportive of the measure.