As we move deeper into election season, one of the most important ways CCAH advances the interests of affordable housing is through our Political Action Committee. The CCAH PAC exists to ensure that the affordable housing industry has a seat at the table when policy decisions are being made and that candidates understand the challenges, opportunities, and real-world impacts of the policies they advocate for. Whether the issue is housing finance, development costs, regulatory barriers, insurance availability, or preservation of existing affordable housing, elections have consequences. The candidates and ballot measures we choose in November will shape our industry’s ability to provide housing for years to come.
Because of this, CCAH invests significant time during each election cycle into researching candidates and issues, conducting interviews, reviewing voting records and policy positions, and ultimately making voting recommendations to our members we think will benefit affordable housing the most. Our goal is to provide thoughtful information and perspective from the affordable housing industry so that you can make informed decisions at the ballot box.
Our endorsement process begins with a detailed questionnaire that asks candidates to set out their views on housing production, preservation, state funding programs, housing finance, prevailing wage, insurance issues, and other topics directly impacting affordable housing. Select candidates are then invited to interview with our PAC Steering Committee, where they have the opportunity to discuss their priorities, answer questions, and engage directly with us. These conversations help us evaluate each candidate’s understanding of affordable housing issues and their willingness to work collaboratively with our industry.
This week, our PAC Steering Committee conducted interviews with Senator Ben Allen, candidate for California Insurance Commissioner, and Assembly District 12 candidates Jackie Elward and Eric Lucan. We appreciated each candidate taking the time to participate in our process and sharing their perspectives with our committee. We had also hoped to interview Ben Allen’s opponent, Jane Kim. At the time of this writing, Ms. Kim has not yet responded to our interview request, though we remain hopeful that we will hear from her campaign soon and have the opportunity to include her in our evaluation process before final endorsements are made.
While our candidate endorsement deliberations continue, our voter guide is already available. Unlike many voter guides that are published once and remain static, ours is updated regularly as additional endorsements are considered and approved. We expect decisions regarding the races involving Ben Allen, Jane Kim, Jackie Elward, and Eric Lucan to be made shortly, and those recommendations will be added to the voter guide as soon as they are finalized. The guide also includes recommendations on ballot measures and key public policy questions. California voters are frequently presented with complex initiatives that can have significant implications for housing affordability, housing finance, and economic development. Evaluating these measures through the lens of affordable housing is an important service we provide to our members, helping connect broad policy debates to their practical impacts on housing production and preservation.
As you review the voter guide, I also encourage you to think about the role membership plays in strengthening our collective voice. CCAH’s advocacy efforts, legislative work, educational programs, conferences, voter guide, and PAC activities are all made stronger because of the engagement and support of our members. The larger and more united our membership base becomes, the more influence we have when advocating before elected officials, state agencies, and policymakers. If your organization is not yet a member now is a great time to join us. Membership is one of the most effective investments you can make in protecting and advancing the future of affordable housing in California.
Finally, I hope you will consider supporting the CCAH PAC. Political engagement is an essential part of our mission, and PAC contributions allow us to build relationships with policymakers, evaluate candidates, advocate for our industry’s interests, and ensure affordable housing remains at the forefront of policy discussions. Every contribution, regardless of size, helps strengthen our ability to be an effective voice for affordable housing throughout California.
I encourage you to visit the voter guide on our website today and keep checking back as new endorsements are added. You should also watch your mailbox, as a printed version will be distributed to members before ballots drop for the general election. Together, through strong membership participation and a robust PAC, we can continue building the relationships and influence necessary to advance affordable housing across California.
In partnership,
