Proposition 1 Bond Measure Passes, Aiding Affordable Housing in Silicon Valley

Residents like Rocio Carrillo-Ortiz, who recently moved into affordable housing after separating from her partner, have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to provide a stable home for her family (San Jose Spotlight). She noted that the ability to provide a sound, steady home for her three children and herself is super helpful, especially as many of her family and friends have had to move out of the county, out of state, or even out of the country due to financial hardship. Chad Bojorquez, chief program officer for Destination: Home, stated that through Measure A, more than 6,800 affordable homes have been built, with over 10,000 people already moved into apartments, and about 60% of those developments complete. [1]

More than $7 billion of Proposition 1 funding will be used to turn stalled housing projects into affordable homes, primarily rental apartments, while about $1 billion will assist low- and moderate-income households in buying homes (San Jose Spotlight). Regina Celestin Williams noted that many people are at risk of becoming homeless, often just one paycheck, illness, or emergency away from not being able to pay their rent. She emphasized that Proposition 1 showed voters understand the need for ongoing investment in affordable housing, but additional bonds will be required to provide the needed number of homes. Housing Trust Silicon Valley CEO Noni Ramos highlighted that more than half of Bay Area renters pay more than 30% of their total income on rent, making it increasingly difficult for people to afford to live in the places they work. [1]

Proposition 1, an affordable housing bond measure approved by state voters on Nov. 3, 2026, will enable more below-market rate housing to be constructed. Voters on Nov. 3 approved Proposition 1, the Veteran and Income-Qualified Housing bond measure, by 59%. It authorizes the state to issue more than $11 billion in bonds, with funding expected to jumpstart construction on about 40,000 affordable homes statewide for income-qualified housing programs (San Jose Spotlight). [1]

Regina Celestin Williams, executive director of SV@Home, stated that Santa Clara County made good use of the 2016 Measure A, a $950 million housing bond serving low- and extremely low-income families and those vulnerable to displacement. She emphasized the importance of having additional resources at the state level to continue supporting these projects (San Jose Spotlight). [1]

Resident Rocio Carrillo-Ortiz expressed gratitude for having found affordable housing for her three children and herself after recently separating from her partner and moving into her parents’ guest room for a short time. She said the fact that she can now provide a sound, steady home with room for all of us is super helpful (San Jose Spotlight). [1]

Chad Bojorquez, chief program officer for Destination: Home, said through Measure A, more than 6,800 affordable homes have been built. Over 10,000 people have already moved into apartments, and about 60% of those developments are complete (San Jose Spotlight). [1]

Sources

San Jose Spotlight

Prepared with AI assistance from the cited sources.