Housing California (Housing CA), an NLIHC State Coalition Partner, and the California Housing Consortium have generated widespread support for the California Homes and Jobs Act. Introduced in the state legislature in February, the legislation would establish a sustainable funding source for affordable homes. The State Senate and two Assembly committees have endorsed the bill, as have more than 600 organizations and hundreds of individuals. Advocates are pleased with their progress and hope for a successful outcome when the biennial session concludes in 2014.Housing CA and the California Housing Consortium launched the Homes and Jobs campaign in 2012, building on momentum generated earlier that year by the HOMES Act, similar legislation that was defeated by two votes in May 2012 (see Memo, 11/9/12). Advocates renamed the bill to emphasize its focus on creating jobs, primarily in the construction sector, in addition to creating homes. The current bill places a small fee on real estate transactions, excluding commercial and residential sales, which is projected to generate $500 million annually and leverage $2.78 billion more in federal and local funding. Advocates expect that more than 10,000 homes and 29,000 jobs will be created each year if the bill is enacted. Leading up to the 2013 legislative session, campaign leaders developed field presentations and arranged statewide meetings with local advocates to increase awareness of the campaign. Local strategies were devised to broaden support among legislators and traditional and non-traditional allies. A Facebook page was launched to provide followers with updates, action steps, and a platform for supporters to share their own work. Homes and Jobs Act fact sheets were created covering the legislation’s benefits to businesses, education, health care, the labor industry, public safety, seniors, and veterans. Leaders also developed a guide to ensure that the campaign’s messages stay consistent. It includes key messages to convey, tips to stay on message, messaging “dos” and “don’ts,” and words and phrases to use. Rather than “subsidized housing,” for example, advocates were urged to use the phrase “affordable places to live.” Advocates also worked with Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D), the bill’s co-sponsor, to secure additional legislative supporters and educate newly elected legislators. The Senate bill passed the Transportation and Housing Committee in April on a 6-3-2 vote, with two members abstaining. The bill then cleared two Senate Committees prior to passing the full Senate in June. Advocates attribute their success to a well-coordinated and strategic field and media campaign and legislative approach. A broad range of supporters testified at hearings, met with legislators, and welcomed them at ground breakings and affordable development tours. Residents delivered thousands of postcards to district offices, influential business and financial leaders submitted op-eds to local newspapers, and endorsers referenced Homes and Jobs when talking to reporters. In July, the campaign shifted its focus to the Assembly and organized six days of action leading to the chamber’s first hearing on the bill. Advocates focused on the Housing and Community Development and Labor and Employment Committees, which were scheduled to hear the bill the following week. Actions included calls, letters, and tweets urging committee members to support the legislation. It passed both committees in August. Housing CA is heartened by the work of the campaign supporters. During the days of action, advocates generated more than 1,500 letters, made hundreds of phone calls, and sent more than 250 tweets directly to Assembly committee members, which some of whom retweeted. Advocates also held hundreds of meetings with legislators and secured key media endorsements from the Sacramento Bee and Fresno Bee. “We made great progress on the bill this year due in large part to a coalition including everyone from builders to environmentalists, business groups to civil rights organizations, labor to public safety,” said Shamus Roller, executive director of Housing CA. “The campaign is moving full speed this fall with a lot of activity in the districts. January starts the second year of the session and we look forward to the Assembly floor vote and the governor’s signature in 2014.”Housing CA expects the bill to move out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, where it currently sits, in early 2014.For more information, contact Shamus Roller, [email protected]