In a setback for Habitat for Humanity chapters, attempts to put together an end-of-session affordable housing package in the Legislature have failed. There continues to be strong opposition to including relaxed land-use rules, as part of the deal, in exchange for 400-million dollars. The Executive Director of Nevada County’s chapter, Debbie Arakel, says they’ve been trying for the last few years to find replacement funds, since redevelopment agencies were dissolved by the state. They received 250-thousand dollars for vital infrastructure that launches projects. She says that won’t impact their current 16-home project in Grass Valley, but future construction may be up in the air…

click to listen to Debbie Arakel

Arakel says there were extensive talks with all 120 lawmakers earlier this year that appeared to be productive at the time…

click to listen to Debbie Arakel

Advocates for the poor, and other groups, including Habitat, recently sent a letter to Brown and legsilative leaders to approve the 400-million dollars and leave the debate over land-use rules for another day.