Dear CAR Member,
This year C.A.R., as part of the California Homeownership Coalition — which includes the California Building Industry Association (CBIA), Habitat for Humanity California and other leading civic and housing advocacy organizations — made a collaborative effort to ensure that the state government devote funds in the state budget to address the desperate need for more homeownership opportunities for working Californians, In particular, we sought funds for down payment assistance and for the creation of new affordable ownership housing. The push for funding was a hot issue at C.A.R.’s Legislative Day and has been the focus of an intensive and concerted effort by C.A. R’s leadership, members, and advocacy team.
I am pleased to announce that our efforts were successful. C.A.R. commends Gov. Newsom and the California Legislature for allocating significant funding in the 2022-2023 State Budget to create homeownership opportunities for thousands of working Californians. Specifically, the budget includes $500 million for Senate Pro Tempore Toni Atkins’ California Dream for All Program, an innovative down payment assistance program. Senate Pro Tempore Atkins’ program will make homeownership more attainable to the state’s working families and support traditionally underserved communities to build generational wealth that has for too long been out of reach. Additionally, $250 million is being allocated for the CalHome program, which acts directly to assist coalition member Habit for Humanity and other groups to produce new affordable housing.
The success of our strong and, most importantly, unified efforts as part of this coalition shows the power of the REALTOR® Party, which allows us to work with a broad coalition of groups to achieve our goals. We are Stronger Together.
It’s been more than two years since C.A.R. has been able to hold its annual WomanUP!® Conference in person, so we’re excited to gather in-person again in just a couple of months. The WomanUP!® team is putting together their signature solo talks, group conversations and social gatherings at this year’s gorgeous waterfront location in Huntington Beach at the Paséa Hotel + Spa. The WomanUP!® mission remains strong and focused to deliver exceptional, diverse, community-driven programming that supports and empowers women and underserved communities to become the leaders this industry needs and deserves! Get your C.A.R. member-priced tickets for the Aug. 30 – Sept. 1 event here.
And speaking of gathering in-person, C.A.R.’s REimagine! Conference & Expo returns Oct. 11-13 at the Long Beach Convention Center. If you’ve missed walking an energized exhibit hall, finding new business solutions partners or hearing Tom Ferry speak or partying with thousands of REALTORS® at the All Voices Soirée, you can now confirm your return to the live experience by registering today. The two-day conference and expo (Oct. 12-13) is free for C.A.R. members, and the targeted, educational Pre-Conference (Paid Day) is on Tuesday, Oct. 11. From now until July 20, you can save up to $40 on your pass for the 2023 Housing Market Forecast Keynote Lunch, any of the Pre-Conference events and the On-Demand Access Package. Visit the REimagine! Conference & Expo website to learn more and register.
Sincerely,
Otto Catrina
C.A.R. President