Comment Log Display

On behalf of the San Diego Housing Federation, we appreciate the
opportunity to comment on the draft concept paper for the Cap and
Trade Auction Proceeds Investment Plan.  Founded in 1990, the San
Diego Housing Federation is a non-profit organization that
advocates for the creation and preservation of affordable homes in
the San Diego region.  

The San Diego Housing Federation is one of more than 50
organizations statewide that have signed on to the Sustainable
Communities for All proposal.  The principals set forth in the
proposal seek to align the expenditure of Cap and Trade revenues
with the goals set forth in AB 32 and SB 375 by providing equitable
transportation and housing choices that allow all Californians to
drive less and reduce household costs, especially for low-income
households.   

Of particular importance, the proposal would authorize a portion of
the Cap and Trade revenues to be used to create affordable homes
that promote the use of public transit and utilize energy
efficiency and sustainable energy resources. The availability of
housing available to California’s workforce and in proximity to
transit choices is key to reducing emissions resulting from the use
of single passenger vehicles, a major contributor of GHG emissions.
 

A recent study of the relationship between affordable housing and
transit oriented development conservatively estimated the reduction
of vehicle miles traveled and GHG emissions at 4% reduction per
affordable unit based upon higher transit usage and lower rates of
car ownership. However, it is widely believed that the impact is
much greater.  For example, according to the City of San Diego’s
2011 Affordable Housing Parking Study, parking utilization rates in
affordable housing communities are “about half of that of the
typical rental units in San Diego; almost half the units surveyed
had no vehicle.”  As a result of these findings, we believe that
the funding relationship between transit development and affordable
housing can significantly expedite the state’s goals of improving
air quality.   

We believe that by including affordable homes in Cap and Trade
auction revenues investment strategies, California can make great
strides in reaching greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals and
ensuring that these funds are invested equitably throughout our
communities.  A cap-and-trade revenue investment plan that includes
funding for transit-oriented affordable housing will have the
greatest impact on the communities most impacted by climate change
and will offer numerous co-benefits. We encourage you to support
the principals set forth in the Sustainable Communities for All
proposal by including them in the Cap and Trade Investment Plan.