Comment Log Display

Ms. Mary Nichols
Chair, California Air Resources Board
1001 I Street
Sacramento CA 95814

RE:  Investment plan for cap and trade auction revenues

Dear Chair Nichols:

MidPen Housing Corporation is one of more than 40 organizations
that has signed on to the Sustainable Communities for All proposal
which would direct cap and trade auction revenues to building and
preserving affordable homes near transit, public and active transit
options, and energy efficiency and sustainable energy resources for
multifamily homes affordable to low-income households. The aim of
this proposal is to achieve the goals of AB 32 and SB 375 equitably
by providing transportation and housing choices that allow all
Californians to drive less and reduce household costs, especially
for low- income households. On behalf of MidPen Housing, I urge you
to include these strategies in the investment plan for cap and
trade auction revenues.

MidPen Housing is one of the nation's leading non-profit sponsors
and developers of affordable rental housing for low-income working
families, seniors, and persons with special needs. Since our
founding in 1970, we have developed over 7,000 affordable homes in
ten Bay Area counties, housing more than 14,250 residents.

California's transportation sector is responsible for the most
emissions of any sector, 38%, making it an important focus. Because
transportation needs are driven in large part by where people want
- and can afford - to live, housing affordability directly affects
the sector’s emissions. Investment in the sustainable development
and preservation of affordable housing will significantly reduce
vehicle miles traveled and help the state meet its greenhouse gas
reduction goals while also benefiting disadvantaged communities
pursuant to the requirements of SB 535.

•	Low-income households are the most likely to shed their cars and
ride transit when given the opportunity to live near a robust
transit line. They are also the most likely to be displaced when
rising property values near new transit lines drive up rents. This
displacement robs the transit system of ridership and reduces its
GHG benefits.
•	By taking existing public transportation instead of driving a
car, a single person prevents 4,800 pounds of CO2 from entering the
atmosphere each year. 
•	Lower income households use 28% more energy per square foot than
higher-income households primarily because they live in older, less
energy-efficient homes. Energy efficiency and sustainable energy
investments in low-income multifamily properties provide an
excellent opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve
public health, and lower operating costs to residents and building
owners, helping to preserve affordable rents and provide financial
relief.  

There are several existing state programs which could be use to
promote investment in these areas:  
1.	The California Department of Housing and Community Development’s
(HCD) Multifamily Housing Program (MHP) and affordable
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) program
2.	The Energy Savings Assistance Program, Weatherization Assistance
Program, and the Multifamily Affordable Solar Homes Program
3.	The State Transit Assistance Program and proposed Active
Transportation Program

Cap and trade auction revenues are a critical resource, since
substantial state and federal reductions in funding for
transportation and affordable housing threaten the ability of
communities to achieve AB 32 and SB 375 goals. Therefore, we urge
you to direct a significant percentage of the revenues to improve
clean transportation choices, build and preserve homes affordable
to low-income households near transit, and invest in energy
efficiency and sustainable energy improvements to multifamily homes
affordable to low-income households.

We thank you for the opportunity to provide this input.

Sincerely,


Keri Lung
Director of Housing Development