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As home 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 funds in a plan that outlines how federal, state and local dollars will be invested in housing and homelessness prevention.
While federal support for local housing assistance and homelessness prevention is at its lowest level in 30 years, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development sent $4.18 million in grants to San Mateo County this fiscal year.
This represents a drop of 18 percent from the $5.1 million in fiscal year 1994-95.
The total today would be 10.5 million dollars 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 countywide.
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 funds for local needs,” said Warren Slocum, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
"Without Measure K funds, we would not be afloat," he 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 sources of revenue will support housing and community development solutions.
This 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 home repairs for eight agencies; $289,940 in public services such as legal assistance, meals on wheels, youth mentoring and fair housing; and $977,722 to support homeless shelters and services.
Accordingly, 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.
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