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Attachment 1 February 3, 2021 The Honorable Gavin Newsom Governor of the State of California California State Capitol, First Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 Via: Townsend Public Affairs RE: City of Pleasanton response to budget measure proposal to create a Housing Accoutability Unit at Housing and Community Development department Dear Governor Newsom, On behalf of the Pleasanton City Council, I want to thank you for your continued efforts to address the housing crisis in California. Your recent budget proposes a new resource in the HCD by creation of the Housing Accountability Unit. The Housing Accountability Unit as proposed seeks to facilitate production of affordable housing through monitoring,technical assistance, and enforcement of existing housing production laws. HCD would also act as an ombudsman and help local governments navigate and comply with state housing laws and make sufficient progress toward their Regional Housing Needs Allocation(RHNA). This budget measure aligns with our City of Pleasanton's Legislative Framework as the new Unit focuses on producing affordable housing and providing technical assistance to help local governments make progress towards their RHNA allocations. With the volume of housing bills being signed into law each year, additional support to cities for assistance in implementation of these laws through technical assistance would be a benefit to the City of Pleasanton. The City complies with all State laws and follows the regulations set forth by HCD so additional monitoring and enforcement efforts is not a concern. While the proposed Housing Accountability Unit aligns with the City's Legislative Framework the tone and tenor of your statement included in the budget narrative; was regrettable and does not promote a collaborative approach to finding solutions to the housing crisis. While accountability is crucial at all levels of government,this statement promotes an adversarial tone between the State and local governments. Identifying real housing solutions requires a willingness to work together. Pleasanton remains committed to that principle. ..."this is to monitor city council meetings. This is to monitor board of supervisors meetings,planning commission meetings. We're not going to wait for an article to be written to be proactive in terms of holding local government accountable to increasing housing production."