SACRAMENTO - SACRAMENTO – With the California State Assembly passing the largest public works bond package in the state’s history – four bonds totaling $37.281 billion, Assemblymember Karen Bass is one step closer to making sure foster youth will not end up homeless after they age out of the system. Part of this historic bond package includes $50 million dollars in the Housing Bond allocated for homeless and emancipated youth. This will include transitional and permanent housing tied to supportive services that assist youth to stabilize their lives and develop the skills and resources they need to make a successful transition to independent, self-sufficient adulthood.

“This is a huge step in the right direction as we move toward our goal to improve the lives of foster youth in the state,” said Assemblymember Bass, the chair of the Select Committee on Foster Care. “Housing is a major issue for youth who are emancipating out of the system with no where to turn because of the lack of transitional housing and services. These funds will help us bridge that gap by strategically placing funds in the area of need for homeless youth.”

The bonds four key priorities are Transportation, Housing, Education and Flood Protection in order to improve the state’s roads, schools, levees, and provide affordable housing. The bonds will be put on the November 2006 ballot for voter approval.

“This is an investment in our children, adults and senior citizens. But more importantly, this is an investment in California’s future,” said Speaker Fabian Núñez. “Today is a proud day for California.”

Below are additional details on each bond:

Transportation Bond -- $19.925 billion
Mobility, transit, and congestion relief: $17.250 billion

• $4.5 billion for high priority corridor improvements;
• $1 billion for State Highway 99 Enhancement Plan;
• $2 billion for trade infrastructure;
• $2 billion for STIP augmentation;
• $4 billion for rail, bus, transit, and improvements;
• $750 million for SHOPP and ITS;
• $1 billion for State-Local Partnership Program;
• $1 billion for roads – cities.
• $1 billion for roads – counties.

Safety, security, disaster preparedness: $1.475 billion

• $1 billion for transit safety and disaster response;
• $100 million for Port Security Program;
• $125 million for local bridge seismic retrofit;
• $250 million for grade separations.

Air quality: $1.2 billion

• $1 billion for port air quality;
• $200 million for school bus retrofit and replacement.

Education Bond -- $10.416 billion
K-12 facilities: $7.329 billion

• $1.9 billion for new construction;
• $3.3 billion for rehabilitation and modernization;
• $200 million for small high schools (included in new construction and modernization above);
• $1 billion for overcrowded schools;
• $500 million for charter schools;
• $500 million for career technical education facilities;
• $100 million for energy-efficient schools; and
• $29 million for joint use facilities.

Higher Education: $3.087 billion

• $1.58 billion for UC and CSU;
  
• $1.5 billion for community colleges.
  

Housing and Land Use Bond -- $2.85 billion
Affordable housing: $1.5 billion

• $345 million for multi-family housing;
  
• $300 million for Cal Home homeownership program;
  
• $200 million for CHADAP down payment assistance program;
  
• $195 million for supportive housing;
  
• $135 million for farm worker housing;
  
• $125 million for the Building Equity and Growth in Neighborhoods (BEGIN) Program;
  
• $100 million for affordable housing innovation;
  
• $50 million for homeless youth housing; and
  
• $50 million for emergency housing.
  

Infill incentives: $850 million (up to $200 million available for urban parks);

Housing-related parks in urban, suburban, and rural areas: $200 million;

Transit-oriented development: $300 million

Flood Protection -- $4.09 billion

• $3 billion for levee inspection, repair, flood control improvements, and delta levee protection;
  
• $500 million for flood control subventions;
  
• $290 million for flood corridors, bypasses, and flood plain mapping; and
  
• $300 million for storm flood management.