2026 California Proposition 37
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November 3, 2026
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Second Mortgage Homebuyer Program and Revenue Bond Initiative |
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Proposition 37, also known as the Second Mortgage Homebuyer Program and Revenue Bond Initiative or the Middle-Class Homeownership and Family Home Construction Act, is an initiated state statute that will appear on the November 3, 2026, ballot in the state of California.
If approved and passed, the initiative would create a second mortgage homebuyer program administered by the California Housing Finance Agency, who would have the ability to issue up to $25 billion in bonds to fund the program.
Background
[edit]The initiative was sponsored by Robert Hertzberg, a Democrat who held leadership positions in both the state senate and state assembly.[1] Hertzberg has stated that the initiative will help increase middle-class housing supply.[2][1] In March 2026, the initiative qualified for the ballot after submitting around 900,000 signatures of support, almost double the 546,651 signatures required.[3][4]
The initiative would establish a second mortgage homebuyer program, which would be run by the California Housing Finance Agency (CALHFA). The agency would able to issue up to US$25 billion in bonds to fund the program, which would offer eligible buyers fixed-rate mortgages for up to 17% of the purchase price of a "qualified new home". An eligible home must be either a new construction or a former non-residential property that has been converted and is selling for the first time. The home must be priced below around US$1–1.5 million, although that amount adjusts annually and differs for each of the state's counties. To be eligible for the program, a borrower must be a California resident for at least a year, plan to occupy the home, earn less than 200% of the local area's median income, and pay at least 3% up-front.[2]
Endorsements
[edit]- Executive branch officials
- Xavier Becerra, former U.S. secretary of health and human services (2021–2025) (Democratic)[5]
- U.S. representatives
- Katie Porter, former CA-47 (2019–2025) (Democratic)[5]
- Statewide officials
- Tony Thurmond, superintendent of public instruction of California (2019–present) (Democratic)[5]
- State legislators
- Robert Hertzberg, former Senate majority leader (2019–2022) from SD-18 (2014–2022) (Democratic)[6]
- Darrell Steinberg, former Senate president pro tempore (2008–2014) from SD-06 (2006–2014)[3]
- Local officials
- Matt Mahan, mayor of San Jose (2023–present) (Democratic)[5]
- Antonio Villaraigosa, former mayor of Los Angeles (2005–2013) (Democratic)[5]
- Labor unions
- Organizations
References
[edit]- 1 2 "New campaign committee gives big to possible 2026 CA housing ballot measures". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- 1 2 "California Second Mortgage Homebuyer Program and Revenue Bond Initiative (2026)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Darrell Steinberg Backs Hertzberg's Bold Middle-Class Housing Bond". Planning Report. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ "Campaign submits signatures in California for a ballot initiative to issue bonds for a homeownership loan program - Ballotpedia News". Ballotpedia News. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Gardiner, Dustin; Mason, Melanie; Jones, Blake (8 May 2026). "Why Becerra is welcome in Newsom's orbit". POLITICO. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
Former state Sen. Bob Hertzberg's housing bond measure has racked up endorsements from gubernatorial candidates, including Xavier Becerra, Katie Porter, Matt Mahan, Antonio Villaraigosa and Tony Thurmond, according to the campaign.
- ↑ "Keeping Our Children in California: Hertzberg on the Middle-Class Homeownership Act". Planning Report. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Middle-Class Homeownership Act qualifies for the ballot". California Association of Realtors. Retrieved 8 May 2026.