By Scott Thomas Anderson
November 1, 2018
Housing advocates tell mayor his administration is skirting the California Surplus Land Act
One thing is certain: Sacramento’s wheeling and dealing of public land to market-rate developers happened during a crisis that hurts low-income renters more than anyone.
The controversial land sales were brought to Steinberg’s attention in July when the Sacramento Housing Alliance and the Environmental Council of Sacramento sent him a joint letter* expressing concern. Specifically, the two organizations questioned whether the city is in compliance with the Surplus Land Act, a law that requires prioritizing surplus government land for affordable housing. One case that the nonprofits found particularly “alarming” was the city’s sale of 4722 Ninth Avenue and 4601-4625 10th Avenue, near Stockton Boulevard.
This week, Steinberg said his office is looking into the issue Sacramento Housing Alliance and ECOS raised.
“The Surplus Land Act is an important law and the city should absolutely comply with it,” the mayor told SN&R.
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*The letter to the Mayor Steinberg from the Sacramento Housing Alliance and the Environmental Council of Sacramento that is referenced in this article was sent on July 9, 2018.
