Reps. Bera, Matsui, Thompson Hold Press Conference with Local Leaders to Highlight New Federal Housing Law Benefits for Sacramento Region

Sacramento, CA - Today, Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), Doris Matsui (CA-07), and Mike Thompson (CA-04), held a press conference to discuss how the newly enacted 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will help the Sacramento region build and preserve more affordable housing. The Representatives were joined by Sacramento City Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum and Kecia Boulware, deputy executive director of development at the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA).

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is the most significant bipartisan federal housing legislation enacted in decades, equipping communities with new tools to preserve affordable housing, rehabilitate aging homes, and build more housing faster.

"Too many hardworking families in the Sacramento region are doing everything right but still cannot afford a place to live," said Congressman Bera. "The ROAD to Housing Act will help cut red tape, unlock publicly owned land, and accelerate the construction of affordable housing. I'm grateful to Congresswoman Matsui and Congressman Thompson for their leadership on this issue and look forward to working with them to ensure this new law helps families across our region have a fair shot at homeownership, economic security, and the American Dream."

"Too many Sacramento families are spending more of every paycheck on rent, and too many young people are wondering whether they can afford to build a future here," said Congresswoman Matsui. "This law gives SHRA and our local partners better tools to renovate public housing, prepare sites for construction, and reduce federal delays that drive up costs. Mirasol Village shows what Sacramento can accomplish when strong local leadership has the right federal support, and I will work to make sure these programs are fully funded and put to work for our community."

"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is a huge first step in tackling our housing crisis in California," said Congressman Thompson. "This bill will help us build more housing, lower mortgage and rental costs, and expand home ownership opportunities. I was proud to support this historic, bipartisan legislation and I will continue to work to ensure this is rolled out quickly so our communities can get the support they need."

The event was held at Mirasol Village, where a $30 million HUD Choice Neighborhood grant helped renovate the former Twin Rivers public housing community with new affordable and mix-income homes. Mirasol demonstrates how federal investment can help local agencies prepare sites, put construction crews to work, and create more housing options for Sacramento families.

"We're standing in a park, in the middle of a neighborhood with families living all around us," said Sacramento City Councilmember Pluckebaum. "The City put $20 million into Marisol Village and that was not a small decision, but we would do it again in a heartbeat. But we didn't do it alone. It took the Federal Government, the State, the County, private investment, SHRA, all moving in the same direction at the same time."

"The 21st Century Road to Housing Act is set to strengthen the tools that SHRA uses to preserve and modernize our public housing portfolio as well as to assist developers more quickly and efficiently with gap financing to further fuel the pipeline that builds affordable housing." said SHRA Deputy Executive Director of Development Boulware. "This is a positive outcome for the families who so desperately need affordable housing in the City and County. We are thankful to our Congressional delegation for all their support in making this legislation a reality."

By expanding the Rental Assistance Demonstration program, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will give SHRA more room to finance major renovations across Sacramento's public housing communities. It also opens HUD's Community Development Block Grant funding to new affordable housing construction and allows HOME funding to cover site preparation, utilities, and other infrastructure needed before crews can break ground. Reducing duplicative federal reviews will also shorten project timelines, while lowering costs for local developers and builders.

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