Local Government Publications

The 2021-22 Budget: Analysis of Housing and Homelessness Proposals

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February 5, 2021 - This handout analyzes the Governor’s major 2021-22 budget proposals related to housing and homelessness.

California’s Homelessness Challenges in Context

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January 21, 2021 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development

How Has COVID-19 Affected Renters and Homeowners?

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January 19, 2021 - In this brief we assess how coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected renters and homeowners. We also provide an updated estimate of the total unpaid rental debt in California that has accumulated due to COVID-19.

Correction 1/19/21: Legend on Figure 3 corrected to match data.

The 2020-21 Budget: U-Visa I-918 Form Mandate

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March 4, 2020 - State law directs our office to report on the annual state costs for new state-reimbursable mandates and make recommendations to the Legislature as to whether the new mandates should be repealed, funded, suspended, or modified. This analysis fulfills that requirement for the U-Visa I-918 Form, Victims of Crime: Nonimmigrant Status mandate, which is one of two newly identified state mandates in the 2020-21 budget.

The 2020-21 Budget: Local Agency Employee Organizations, Impasse Procedures II

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March 4, 2020 - State law directs our office to report on the annual state costs for new state-reimbursable mandates and make recommendations to the Legislature as to whether the new mandates should be repealed, funded, suspended, or modified. This analysis fulfills that requirement for the Local Agency Employee Organizations, Impasse Procedures II mandate, which is one of two newly identified state mandates in the 2020-21 budget.

California’s Homelessness Challenges in Context

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February 13, 2020 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6: Budget Process, Oversight, and Program Evaluation

SB 1 Has Doubled Major Source of State Funding for Local Streets and Roads

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January 24, 2020 - SB 1 has increased state funding for local streets and roads by $1.3 billion—a doubling of the previous level of shared revenues—with additional revenue increases projected in current and future years.

The 2019-20 Budget: California Spending Plan—Housing and Homelessness

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October 17, 2019 - This post describes the 2019-20 budget actions related to housing and homelessness issues.

The 2019-20 May Revision: Opportunity Zones

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May 11, 2019 - The Governor proposes to allow state tax benefits for investments in alternative energy or affordable housing in communities designated as Opportunity Zones under a new federal program. Given the mixed evidence regarding the benefits of similar policies and the existence of better mechanisms to fund affordable housing, we recommend rejecting the Governor’s proposal to create a state Opportunity Zone tax benefit.

Housing and Homelessness Funding Impacting Children

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March 25, 2019 - These materials were prepared for an informational hearing about housing challenges and their impact on the well-being of children by the Senate Select Committee on the Social Determinants of Children’s Well-Being.

The 2019-20 Budget: Considerations for Governor's Proposals to Address Homelessness

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February 21, 2019 - In this report, we describe the Governor’s proposed $625 million appropriation for various programs aimed at addressing homelessness. Specifically, the Governor proposes (1) planning and production grants to local governments, (2) expanding the Whole Person Care pilot programs, and (3) funding the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program on an ongoing basis.

The 2019-20 Budget: Considerations for the Governor's Housing Plan

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February 20, 2019 - In this report, we describe the Governor’s proposed $1.75 billion appropriation for various programs aimed at improving the affordability of housing in the state. Specifically, the Governor proposes (1) providing planning and production grants to local governments, (2) expanding the state Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, (3) establishing a new state housing tax credit program targeting relatively higher-income households, and (4) expanding a loan program for middle-income housing production.

The 2019-20 Budget: What Can Be Done to Improve Local Planning for Housing?

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February 20, 2019 - As part of the 2019‑20 Governor’s Budget, the administration proposes changing state oversight of local housing decisions and proposes offering rewards to cities and counties to encourage them to plan for and approve housing. To help the Legislature in its consideration of the Governor’s proposals, this report: (1) explains the existing process through which local communities plan for housing, as well as its limitations and shortfalls; (2) describes the Governor’s proposal; (3) provides recommendations on the parts of the proposal aimed at increasing home building in the short term; and (4) offers a package of changes to improve the state’s existing long‑term planning process for housing.

Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute: Changes Requirements for Certain Property Owners to Transfer Their Property Tax Base to Replacement Property.

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June 11, 2018 - Presented to Senate Governance and Finance Committee, Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation, and Assembly Committee on Budget

2018-19 Budget: Voting Equipment for Counties

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March 16, 2018 - County governments in California administer most local, state, and federal elections pursuant to various requirements established under state and federal law. The Governor’s budget proposes providing counties $134 million to replace their voting equipment. This proposal assumes counties implement a the new “vote center” model of voting. Given the condition of counties’ voting equipment and the state’s interest in effective county administration of elections, state assistance for purchasing new voting equipment is warranted. We recommend that the Legislature direct the Secretary of State to distribute funds based on counties’ equipment costs for implementing the vote center model—assuming the state covers half of those costs.