State Sen. Aisha Wahab outlines housing, affordability and immigrant support in Newark update

State Sen. Aisha Wahab, who represents Newark’s area in the state Legislature, told the Newark City Council on Oct. 23 that statewide legislation adopted this year put new money and protections toward housing affordability, renter relief and immigrant legal aid.

“Housing is a very important issue for almost every single person,” Sen. Wahab said, noting the state budget absorbed an affordability package she sponsored. “We put in $300,000,000 available to California residents who are first time homebuyers.”

Wahab described several pieces of the package. The first‑time‑buyer support is structured to provide down‑payment assistance whose funds would be recycled: the state would recoup and re‑issue the money to the next qualifying buyer, she said. She also outlined measures to encourage development of affordable housing, including…