Listen to this note:
As housing prices and rents have skyrocketed and homelessness is at “crisis” levels in California, the Board of San Mateo County voted 5-0 to include additional Measure K funding in a plan outlining how federal, state and local dollars will be invested in housing and homeless prevention.
While federal support for local housing assistance and homelessness prevention is at a 30-year low, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development sent $4.18 million in grants to San Mateo County this fiscal year.
That's down 18 percent from $5.1 million in fiscal year 1994-95.
The total today would be $10.5 million just to keep pace with inflation.
At a time of unprecedented need for affordable housing, the County Board of Supervisors has stepped in to fill the gap with funding from Measure K, the half-cent sales tax approved by voters throughout the county.
Since 2013, the county said it has invested $150 million in Measure K funds for affordable housing and homelessness prevention.
“We are grateful that voters had the foresight to approve a local sales tax that provides local funding for local needs,” said Warren Slocum, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
“Without Measure K funding, we would not be afloat,” she stressed. “We would fall further and further behind in supporting affordable housing and preventing homelessness.”
The Board agreed to allocate approximately $6.9 million in federal, state and local funds, including $567,768 in Measure K funds through what is known as the Annual Action Plan for fiscal year 2024-25, which details how HUD entitlement grants and additional revenue sources will support housing and community development solutions.
Tuesday's action by the Board allocated: $2.4 million in federal funds to support three affordable housing projects; $978,288 to fund public facilities and minor housing repairs for eight agencies; $289,940 for public services such as legal assistance, meals on wheels, youth mentoring and fair housing; and $977,722 to support homeless shelters and services.
According to the statement, Measure K funds will be used to launch an Equity Innovation Fund that provides grants that prevent homelessness or help individuals and families find shelter.
You may be interested in: Medi-Cal: A Necessary Service Helping Californians
