How a November Ballot Measure can support housing in the Sierra

SBC is supporting the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 (Prop 1), which will go in front of voters on the November ballot. Its passage is critical to advancing California’s housing goals, as Prop 1 would provide much-needed sustained investment in housing programs and projects across the state. Progress without it would be much more challenging, as funding for many housing programs has been exhausted.

Of the $11.25 billion in Prop 1, $600 million will go to CalHome, an existing state program that expands homeownership for low-income families in California through grants to local public agencies and nonprofit corporations. CalHome loans can be used for development projects, rehabilitation, down payment assistance, mortgage financing, homebuyer counseling, and technical assistance. Passing Prop 1 is essential to ensure CalHome continues to receive funding and more Californians have the opportunity to purchase or stay in their homes in the midst of the state’s housing crisis.

The Sierra Nevada region has benefited from previous awards from CalHome, including $500,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Tuolumne County and $2,650,000 to the County of Butte for the CalHome Disaster Assistance Program. With unique barriers to homeownership in the Sierra such as wildfire risk, rising insurance costs, and drastic cost-of-living increases in certain areas, programs like CalHome are a crucial resource in the region.

To learn more about how Prop 1 will benefit the Sierra, read more here about how funding from a previous California housing bond led to the development of 68 affordable housing units in South Lake Tahoe, the largest affordable housing project in the city’s history.