February 22, 2022
Majority Leader Eloise Gomez-Reyes
State Capitol
P O Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0047
Dear Majority Leader Gomez-Reyes,
Inland Actions supports the California State Budget Surplus Funding Request submitted to you by the Hope through Housing Foundation for its Pathways to Economic Empowerment and Homeownership Program (“Pathways”). Based on best practices, Pathways was developed to put residents living at National CORE affordable housing communities on a path to build generational wealth and break the cycle of poverty. This program, currently being administered to over 80 National CORE properties, accelerates the transition of many residents in California to pursue homeownership opportunities by providing one-on-one financial and employment counseling.
We strongly support this application and the focus on preparing low-income residents to become first-time home buyers and recycling affordable units to assist other families in need. Pathways is a proven successful program and with state budget surplus funding the Hope Through Housing Foundation will expand Pathways and launch the homeownership pilot initiative throughout affordable housing communities within the Inland Empire and San Diego. Needed funds will be directed to (a) the expansion of Pathways financial coaches to significantly increase the number of families who will benefit from individualized coaching, and (b) the creation of a down payment non-repayable grant fund as a tool for accelerating first-time homeownership.
Please consider Hope Through Housing’s funding request for Fiscal Year 2022. The benefits of service-enriched, high quality financial assistance programs in our community will significantly bridge inequities and lead to positive resident outcomes for families in our state.
Sincerely,
Carole Beswick, CEO