NEWS HEADLINES

California RDA Fight Continues

By Donna Kimura

Time is ticking on California’s redevelopment agencies (RDAs).

These agencies, which provide critical funding for affordable housing, are set to dissolve Feb. 1 as part of an effort to slash the state’s budget deficit.

Saving the RDAs has become a priority for developers and affordable housing advocates across California.

In the latest move, they are also trying to protect the balances that many of the RDAs have in their accounts for affordable housing. In S.B. 654, state Sen. Darrell Steinberg calls for the balances in the housing funds to still be used for housing.

Housing California and other advocates were urging people to contact their state representatives to support the bill, which was expected to go to a full Senate vote Jan. 23.