Good evening; I am Sam Neeman, representing the League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark and Union City.

Our League has been watching the Fremont Redevelopment Agency for quite some time.  We support and appreciate the work the Agency and City have done to promote new affordable housing in Fremont.

We urge you to adopt the ordinance to implement participation by the City of Fremont and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Fremont in the Alternative Voluntary Redevelopment Program pursuant to Part 1.9 of the California Community Redevelopment Law.  

At the present time there are no other funds available to augment State and Federal Housing funds for affordable housing in Fremont.  It does not seem reasonable to let these funds slip through our fingers.

After reading that some Redevelopment Agencies including San Jose will not be able to participate in this program because they don’t have the required money to “voluntarily” give back to the State.  We want to commend the City and the Redevelopment Agency for your transparent and balanced approach to finances that will now allow Fremont’s Redevelopment Agency to live through these troubling times.

The League encourages the city to continue to work with the Legislature to find new ways for the State to encourage and finance construction of affordable housing.  During times of financial downturns, it is very important that Fremont continue to address affordable housing needs.  Giving local developers more flexibility through the planning process is another way to keep the momentum going in Fremont, and we appreciate that you are willing to make this happen.

Thank you.