Golden State Today

State Superintendent Thurmond Convenes Key State Leaders to Accelerate Housing Development in California

Aug 14, 2024

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted the “Housing Summit: Solutions to Address the Affordability Crisis” at the California Department of Education (CDE) Headquarters in Sacramento today. The event brought together state leaders to address California’s critical need for affordable and workforce housing and explore strategies for accelerating access to homeownership for working and middle-class Californians.

The summit marked the official launch of Superintendent Thurmond’s housing initiative, announced on July 30, 2024. The initiative aims to develop 2.3 million housing units utilizing 75,000 acres of surplus land owned by school districts across the state.

“California is facing a housing crisis—and it doesn’t have to be. While most of us have neighbors, families, and friends who have been priced out of once-affordable suburbs—who now pay even more at the gas pump to finance long commutes—many of us also know individuals who have the resources, expertise, and power to address these issues,” Superintendent Thurmond said. “That’s what today’s event and this initiative are all about: activating the resources and expertise that we all have within our great state so we can make sure that our community members from all walks of life have access to the California Dream.”

During the summit, Superintendent Thurmond convened an expert panel to discuss opportunities and barriers to increasing California’s housing supply. Panelists included Chris Hannan, President of the California State Building and Construction Trades Council; Jennifer Barrera, President and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce; Tom Grable, President of the California Building Industry Association; and Tia Boatman Patterson, President and CEO of the California Community Reinvestment Corporation (CCRC).

“We need an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach—there is not solely one thing we can do to help with this crisis,” Patterson said. “There is not enough affordable housing at the level we need and should be supporting affordable housing from homeless shelters to home ownership. Housing policies are crafted for individual projects as opposed to looking at things holistically.”

Following the panel discussion, local civic leaders, developers, funders, and educators participated in breakout sessions on key topics including accelerating funding and partnership; creating opportunities and removing barriers; and considerations for school districts—a “how-to” guide for educator housing.

In previous years, Superintendent Thurmond has been instrumental in making state tax credits available for affordable housing. This includes $500 million approved as part of the 2020 state budget with continued support in subsequent years through 2024. He has also pledged future funding to provide state incentives when local school districts pass bond measures to build housing.

To share policy recommendations for Superintendent Thurmond’s housing initiative, email Initiatives@cde.ca.gov.