- Everyone should have the opportunity to live in a safe, healthy, affordable home. That includes our children, whose opportunities to succeed in school and life begins with a stable home, and hardworking families who need safe, affordable homes while still being able to afford groceries and other basic necessities.
- Measure A will allow us to create housing opportunities for our most vulnerable community members, including our chronically homeless, veterans, seniors, mentally ill, people with disabilities, and low-income families. It will also provide more affordable housing options for hardworking people and families, allowing them to afford basic necessities.
- We’re all concerned about our friends, families, and vulnerable community members being able to find an affordable place to live. That’s why Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to send this measure to the November ballot, so voters can do something about it: By voting yes this November, we can make an investment in addressing our housing and homeless crisis and driving housing opportunities for our children, friends, and neighbors!
Frequently Asked Questions about Measure A
Q: What is Measure A?
A: Measure A is an affordable housing measure appearing on the November ballot that will provide affordable housing opportunities across Santa Clara County for hardworking families and our most vulnerable communities.
Q: Where did Measure A come from?
A: The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to send this measure to voters to allow our community to address what voters have identified as our highest priority issue.
Q: What will the bond do?
A: Voting Yes on Measure A will allow our County to create and maintain affordable homes for thousands of our most vulnerable community members, including our veterans, seniors, homeless children, and low-income and working families.
In addition to driving housing opportunities, studies show that increasing our affordable housing options drives a multitude of indirect benefits, from improving our business environment to reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality, by making sure people can afford to live close to where they work.
The $950 million bond will provide affordable housing for thousands of our community members, including:
- $700 million for our most vulnerable populations, including Supportive Housing for our homeless residents;
- $100 million for low-income families;
- $150 million for working families and first-time Homebuyer programs
Q: What will this bond cost the average homeowner?
A: The average homeowner will pay approximately $63 per year, or roughly $5 per month. Commercial and residential property owners will pay $12.66 per $100,000 of assessed property value. (Please note that assessed property value is different than market value.)
Measure A includes strict accountability of these funds. The Oversight Plan that accompanies Measure A was identified as “most robust and rigorous” that the Council of Leagues of Women Voters have reviewed.
Q: Who supports this effort?
A: A broad coalition of supporters has endorsed the Yes on A for Affordable Housing campaign, including the League of Women Voters, the Health Trust, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the Housing Trust, Destination: Home, SV@Home, Non-Profit Housing Association of California, and many more!
The full text of Measure A that will appear on your ballot will read: To provide affordable local housing for vulnerable populations including veterans, seniors, the disabled, low and moderate income individuals or families, foster youth, victims of abuse, the homeless and individuals suffering from mental health or substance abuse illnesses, which housing may include supportive mental health and substance abuse services, shall the County of Santa Clara issue up to $950 million in general obligation bonds to acquire or improve real property subject to independent citizen oversight and regular audits?