Through policy advocacy, employer engagement, and direct investment via the Monterey Bay Housing Trust, MBEP increases housing supply across all income levels.
WHY IT MATTERS:
Without adequate housing, talent leaves and businesses–both in private and public sectors–can’t be sustained or expanded. Every new unit built not only addresses a critical social need but also drives sustained economic output and workforce stability.
For each election cycle, we carefully evaluate how statewide ballot measures impact our goals outlined above. Among the 14 statewide ballot measures, we are actively focusing on four initiatives that directly align with our core housing priorities and hold the greatest significance for the Monterey Bay region.
YES On Proposition 1
The Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act
What it does: Authorizes California to issue $11.25 billion in bonds to fund safe, affordable housing for veterans, low-income seniors, working families, people with disabilities, and other targeted groups without raising taxes.
Why it’s important to our region: There are several sites representing thousands of new affordable homes that are ready to access these funds and create much needed housing for farmworkers, hospitality service employees, teachers, and many others.
We are proud to join other endorsers such as: California Association of Veterans Services Agencies, Housing California, California Professional Firefighters, League of Women Voters, California Chamber of Commerce
YES On Proposition 37
The California Middle Class Home Ownership Act
What it does: Authorizes up to $25 billion in revenue bonds to provide low-interest, downpayment assistance loans to eligible middle-class Californians. Bonds are to be repaid through homeowner mortgage payments rather than the state.
Why it’s important to our region: Many moderate income households in our region can afford the monthly payments on a $800,000 home, but do not have the full $160,000 (20%) down payment. Instead, it allows them to purchase a home with a more attainable 24,000 (3%) down payment.
We are proud to join other endorsers such as: California Teachers Association, Non Profit Housing Association of Northern CA, California Chamber of Commerce, California State Commanders Veterans Council, California League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
NO On Proposition 43
Protect Local Affordable Housing Funding
What it does: Would require two-thirds voter approval for all local special taxes approved after January 1, 2027, including those proposed by voters. This would weaken current rights that voters have to make our own decisions at the ballot box about how we raise and spend our own money locally.
Why it’s important to our region: This proposition would make voter-led local funding efforts more difficult by raising the voter approval threshold from a simple majority to two-thirds. With this passed, it would become difficult to approve local affordable housing funds. In a 2025 special election Santa Cruz voters approved Measure C by 54% after a successful local petition placed a blended parcel tax and sales tax measure on the ballot. This new resource will generate approximately $100 Million over the next 20 years to help create hundreds of new homes and prevent homelessness. Recent polling showed that a majority of Monterey County residents in the unincorporated area supported a new tax on ultra high priced homes over $5 Million that would be used to create more workforce housing. This measure will also block critically important investments in public schools, fire protection and emergency services, even when voters propose those solutions ourselves.
We are proud to join other endorsers such as: Cal Cities, Non Profit Housing Association of Northern California, League of Women Voters, California Teachers Association, State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, SEIU California
YES On Proposition 45
Modernize Our Environmental Protection Act
What it does: Changes California’s environmental review laws to speed up approvals for certain essential projects – such as housing, water, clean energy, hospitals, schools, public safety infrastructure, broadband, wildfire prevention, and transportation (excluding high-speed rail) – while keeping existing environmental protections. These projects will have to follow a new, faster review and court challenge process, with tighter timelines and reduced legal review scope.
Why it’s important to our region: This means that many essential projects in our region will be able to move forward with faster, more predictable approval processes, which will lower costs and boost economic activity while maintaining environmental protections.
We are proud to join other endorsers such as: Non Profit Housing Association of Northern California, California Chamber of Commerce, California Building Industry Association, American Clean Power-California, Environmental Policy Innovation Center
Get informed and get involved: Learn how you can help build momentum to solve our housing crisis. Join us for MBEP’s Housing Propositions Webinar from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, in support of housing priorities. The webinar will also be recorded for those who cannot attend live.