California Realtors bring homeownership for all message to Sacramento

Last week on April 29, after an absence of two years due to the Coronavirus pandemic, 2,000 California Realtors once again traveled to the State Capitol for Legislative Day. Legislative Day is the California Association of Realtors’ pinnacle Realtor legislative event. Realtors make up the largest business interest group that comes to Sacramento each year to meet with their elected officials and discuss issues affecting homeownership and the real estate industry.

At a morning briefing held at the Sacramento Convention Center, C.A.R. President Otto Catrina welcomed members to the event. He noted the Realtors’ presence at the State Capitol showed they value homeownership and private property rights.

“We need to remember to fight for homeownership, private property rights, free enterprise and responsible government. We are here to support not just our business but our clients,” said Catrina.

C.A.R.’S new CEO John Sebree greeted California Realtors and reminded them that April is Fair Housing Month. Sebree said, “We all have the opportunity to be part of the transformative solutions to make sure all people have access to homeownership.”

Sebree mentioned C.A.R.’S partnership with nonprofit housing

organizations to provide closing cost grants up to $10,000 for eligible firsttime homebuyers from underserved communities, and the state Realtor association’s fight for and successes in fair housing legislation, including legislation that removes discriminatory language in property records.

Among the speakers at the morning briefing were Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher, who indicated, “homeownership is a fundamental principle.” Gallagher urged Realtors to continue educating legislators on the need to drive housing costs down for California families, so that legislators can work across the aisles to ensure the California dream of homeownership remains viable for the future. He estimated 2.5 million homes need to be built by 2030.

“We must move through all the obstacles to make sure that the dream of homeownership can be achieved,” said Gallagher.

Senator Robert Hertzberg, Senate Majority Leader Emeritus, spoke on the need to build more homes. “It’s all about housing. Homeownership is the backbone of our community. It builds

generational wealth. It is something we need to focus on at the core, the opportunity to give people hope, and help the ‘missing middle.’”

The highlight of the morning was California Governor Gavin Newsom’s address to Realtors. Newsom fiercely chastised critics and stressed, “Facts matter.” He indicated California had 21 percent GNP growth five years prior to the pandemic. Last year, California’s economy, along with two smaller states, grew the fastest. California’s GNP grew 7.8% last year.

Newsom noted the state is dominated by venture capitalists, and that the state is number one in factory jobs, in manufacturing, and in household income growth. Additionally, California had the biggest surplus in the

U.S., and was able to give $12 billion in tax rebates last year.

The state has passed 31 housing bills and 17 bills pertaining to CEQA, but Newsom said, “We got more work to do to address housing at all income levels.”

Most importantly, the Governor stressed that “California values lives.” He pointed out that the state had 51 percent less Covid deaths than the rest of the country. He also intends to rectify the problem of homelessness. He said the problem has a lot to do with chronic mental illness, of which an estimated 30,000 Californians suffer.

Newsom thanked Realtors for keeping the economy moving, for all they did during the pandemic, and for creating opportunities for families and contributing to the state’s growth.

“I have pride in this state. I think the best days are ahead of us. We are moving in the right direction as we haven’t done in the past,” said Newsom.