Habitat SLO CEO Joins Statewide Advocates
Habitat for Humanity San Luis Obispo County CEO Anthony Overton recently traveled to Sacramento to participate in Habitat for Humanity California’s 15th Annual Advocacy Day, joining more than 70 Habitat advocates from 23 affiliates across the state in a unified call for greater investment in affordable homeownership.
The delegation, which included five Habitat homeowners, met with 107 legislators and staff members to advance two key priorities: a $500 million investment in the CalHome program in the 2026-27 state budget, and policy reforms designed to remove barriers to affordable homeownership production.
CalHome is the only state program dedicated exclusively to funding the production of affordable homeownership housing, and is essential to Habitat affiliates’ ability to serve low-income, first-time homebuyers across California. Advocates secured early support from 27 legislators eager to champion the $500 million budget request, and identified 34 Members in support of Habitat-sponsored legislation — including AB 939 (Schultz), which modernizes Density Bonus Law to eliminate unnecessary resale delays, and a targeted fix to prevailing wage exemptions for self-help homeownership developments built on surplus public land.
A highlight of the day came when Senator Jesse Arreguin and Assemblymember Nick Schultz presented resolutions on the floors of their respective houses on February 5, formally recognizing the critical importance of affordable homeownership and sustained CalHome funding. Habitat advocates watched from the gallery as the California Legislature elevated homeownership as a central part of the state’s housing solution.
“Watching the Legislature formally recognize the importance of affordable homeownership was encouraging—and it’s also a clear signal that the moment to act is now. Our families are ready; our communities are ready; we just need the resources and rules that let us build.”,” said Anthony Overton, CEO of Habitat for Humanity San Luis Obispo County.
Habitat for Humanity San Luis Obispo County remains committed to working alongside state leaders to ensure that nonprofit homebuilders can continue delivering permanently affordable homes in communities throughout California.
