By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
On August 19, a bipartisan coalition of mayors from California’s largest cities gathered at the State Capitol to urge voters to approve Proposition (Prop) 1, an $11.25 billion housing and veterans bond measure on the November ballot.
Also known as the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, Prop 1 would provide state funding for local affordable housing projects.
Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty said cities need the measure’s support to address California’s housing crisis.
“Without help from the state and this ballot measure, we can’t do our jobs in cities across California. We need this measure to do our jobs,” said McCarty, a former member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC).
“We need Prop 1 for the future of California, addressing the issues of this generation, and housing affordability for all levels of income throughout California,” McCarty added.
The mayors said their jurisdictions lack the substantial subsidies needed to move shovel-ready affordable housing projects forward and help address the state’s homelessness crisis.
The coalition included Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.
The city leaders were joined by Sens. Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) and Christopher Cabaldon (D-West Sacramento), as well as Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland). Supporters say the measure would help finance the construction of 40,000 affordable housing units statewide.
