SPUR submits this letter in regard to proposed changes to percentage allocations and the spending plan for FY 2023-2024 Measure E funds that will alter current policy by reallocating funds away from the existing balanced commitment to the creation of new affordable housing and homelessness prevention, support, and management. We ask that the City consider alternative policy measures that include current funding strategies for the creation of affordable housing to mitigate impacts from any changes to the FY23-24 Measure E percentage allocations and spending plan that would effectively zero funds toward the development of affordable housing.

SPUR supports an additional funding commitment of $50M to the California Air Resources Board for its Electric Bicycle Incentive Project.Modeled after similar programs across the country, this program will award at-point-of-purchase vouchers to low-income Californians to reduce the costs of purchasing an electric bicycle. The size of the voucher will further increase if the applicant’s income is below the 225% federal poverty limit or if they are purchasing a cargo or an adaptive bicycle.

On April 25th, the City Council considered and discussed COPA for San José as a component of a comprehensive housing preservation strategy. The COPA draft policy was developed with extensive community and stakeholder engagement, technical research, and feedback. San José included the program as an anti-displacement measure under the requirements of affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH) in the City’s draft Housing Element.

SPUR supports SB 50, which would deprioritize minor equipment and nonmoving traffic violations that contribute to racial disparities in traffic enforcement and strip millions of dollars in wealth from lower-income communities across California. The legislation would also empower cities to be laboratories for more effective and equitable traffic enforcement.

SPUR supports AB 311 (Santiago) “Food for All”, which would expand the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to provide vital food assistance to income-eligible Californians who are currently ineligible due to their immigration status.

SPUR supports SB 600 (Menjicar)– CalFresh Minimum Benefit Adequacy Act of 2023. The bill would boost CalFresh benefits, particularly for those who receive meager and inadequate allotments below $50 per month.

SPUR sent a letter to Oakland’s Planning Department with comments on the Zoning Incentive Program (ZIP) for the Downtown Oakland Specific Plan (DOSP). In the letter, we recommend that the project team reconsider various aspects of the program, such as its narrative that value will be created if rents increase by over 20%, the complexity of its implementation, and its affordable housing requirements.

Low-income families are eligible for a variety of state tax credits. Traditionally, these arrive as once a year cash infusions. This legislation would split up these credits to arrive as monthly payments - providing an additional level of financial security for lower income households who are dealing with income volatility.