The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership is urging Peninsula residents to support three state housing measures on the November 2026 ballot. The group opposes a fourth proposition it says would block local affordable-housing funding.

MBEP, led by President and CEO Tahra Goraya, is a regional nonprofit covering Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. The organization published endorsements on four of California's 14 statewide propositions on Sept. 23, saying all four directly affect housing in the Monterey Bay region.

Here is where MBEP stands.

Proposition 1: $11.25 billion affordable housing bond — YES

Proposition 1, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act, would authorize $11.25 billion in state bonds for affordable housing serving veterans, low-income seniors, working families and people with disabilities. According to the Los Angeles Times, the measure includes $1.25 billion in CalVet loan bonds repaid through mortgages and $10 billion repaid through the state general fund at roughly $500 million a year for 25 years.

MBEP said several sites in the Monterey Bay region representing thousands of new affordable homes are ready to access those funds. The organization said the housing would serve farmworkers, hospitality employees, teachers and others.

Proposition 37: $25 billion homeownership assistance — YES

Proposition 37 would authorize up to $25 billion in revenue bonds to provide down-payment assistance loans to middle-class homebuyers. The bonds would be repaid through homeowner mortgage payments, not the state general fund, according to the Los Angeles Times.

MBEP said many moderate-income households in the region can afford monthly payments on an $800,000 home but lack the full $160,000 needed for a 20% down payment. The measure would let eligible buyers purchase a new, owner-occupied home with roughly $24,000 down, or 3%.

A September 2026 Public Policy Institute of California poll found a majority of likely voters supporting Proposition 37. The Los Angeles Times reported no organized opposition to either Proposition 1 or 37.

Proposition 43: two-thirds threshold for local special taxes — NO

This is MBEP's lone "no." Proposition 43, sponsored by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, would require two-thirds voter approval for all local special taxes approved by citizen initiative after Jan. 1, 2027. The measure would not apply retroactively.

MBEP argued the higher threshold would make it harder to fund local affordable housing. The group pointed to Santa Cruz, where voters approved Measure C in a 2025 special election with 54% support. That blended parcel-tax and sales-tax measure is projected to generate about $100 million over 20 years for new homes and homelessness prevention. Under Proposition 43's two-thirds requirement, Measure C would have failed.

A UC Berkeley/Los Angeles Times poll conducted Sept. 15–20 found 40% of likely voters opposed Proposition 43, 31% supported it and 29% were undecided.

Proposition 45: environmental review streamlining — YES

Proposition 45 would change California's environmental review laws to speed up approvals for housing, water, clean energy, hospitals, schools, public safety infrastructure, broadband, wildfire prevention and transportation projects. High-speed rail is excluded. MBEP said the faster approval process would lower costs and boost economic activity for essential projects in the region.

Webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 7

MBEP is hosting a Housing Propositions Webinar from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, via Zoom. The session will be recorded for those who cannot attend live.