SR 71

SR71:v98#DOCUMENT

Bill Start

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Resolution

No. 71

Relative to affordable homeownership.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SR 71, Arreguín.

Digest Key

Bill Text

WHEREAS, Homeownership remains one of the most powerful and proven pathways to economic stability, generational wealth building, and housing security for California families; and

WHEREAS, Access to affordable homeownership for lower income families, particularly through nonprofit-led, equity-building pathways, creates generational wealth and stability otherwise unattainable in California’s housing market, helping to reduce the racial wealth gap and create long-term economic mobility for families historically excluded from ownership opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Affordable homeownership programs, such as those delivered by nonprofit homebuilders in California, provide far more than a housing unit. Those programs offer families the stability of permanent affordability, a deep stake in their communities, and the cycle of growth that equity can provide; and

WHEREAS, Families who become homeowners experience transformative improvements in their children’s educational outcomes, health, and long-term economic mobility, with children of homeowners demonstrating higher graduation rates, improved academic performance, and greater stability; and

WHEREAS, Affordable homeownership via self-help models, such as Habitat for Humanity’s model, ensures long-term affordability through mechanisms such as deed restrictions, affordability resale covenants, shared equity, and resale protocols that preserve affordable homeownership for future generations; and

WHEREAS, Community-based building models utilized by many nonprofit homebuilders, including Habitat for Humanity, strengthen entire neighborhoods by engaging local volunteers, donors, faith communities, businesses, and civic partners, fostering deeper social cohesion and collective investment in long-term neighborhood success; and

WHEREAS, Studies of affordable homebuyers show increased rates of civic participation, including volunteering, voting, and neighborhood leadership, which strengthens California communities and contributes to a healthier democracy; and

WHEREAS, Only 56 percent of California households own their homes, which is well below the national rate of 67 percent, and deep racial disparities persist, with White households far more likely to own homes than households of color. In California, Latinx households are about one-third less likely and Black households are nearly one-half as likely to be homeowners as White households. These disparities undermine the state’s commitments to racial and economic justice; and

WHEREAS, The homeownership rate in California ranks 49th in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Housing affordability in California has reached crisis levels, with 18 percent of households able to afford the median-priced home in 2024; and

WHEREAS, California has underproduced housing for decades, leading the nation in housing deficit in 2021 with a shortfall of nearly 900,000 units. The lack of housing supply, particularly the shortage of entry-level ownership homes affordable to lower income families, is a root cause of skyrocketing home prices and limited opportunity for first-time buyers; and

WHEREAS, Increasing the supply of housing, including entry-level affordable ownership homes, alleviates pressure on scarce existing stock and improves affordability across the entire housing market, including lowering rental prices; and

WHEREAS, There are significant benefits to California when access to homeownership is prioritized across all areas of state action, including budget allocations, regulatory reforms, permit streamlining, land use policy, and program administration; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate recognizes the vital and unique role of affordable homeownership in strengthening California’s economic future, promoting racial and economic equity, and building intergenerational stability for working families; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Secretary of Business, Consumer Services, and Housing, the Director of Housing and Community Development, the Director of Finance, other appropriate state officials, and to the author for appropriate distribution to underscore the Senate’s commitment to a comprehensive housing strategy that includes increasing the supply of affordable homes for purchase.