The Brief

It’s rare when the fútbol powers that be regale the masses with serious competitions in the USA —which is why stateside lovers of the beautiful game should rejoice!

For just the second time in its 100+ year history, the Copa América will return to the U.S., with South America’s finest teams competing against each other across 12 American cities.

Messi and Argentina, Vinicius and Brazil, Darwin and Uruguay, etc. will also face the U.S. and Mexico, and other rivals from North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Thankfully, Los Angeles is one of the host cities. Tens of thousands of lucky soccer fans will swarm SoFi Stadium for one or two of the games: Brazil vs Costa Rica on June 24 and Venezuela vs Mexico on June 26.

If you don’t have a ticket, you can still join in the festivity. There will be plenty of places for fans to watch, cry and celebrate all the drama a soccer tournament brings with it.

The following list include a few recommendations for each participating nation*. Wherever you go and whomever you root for, may the fútbol gods be in your favor.

*Unfortunately, we could not find any events or restaurants in L.A. that specialize solely in the cuisines of Canada, Costa Rica, Paraguay or Uruguay. We hope this state of affairs is fixed by 2026 when the FIFA World Cup comes to town!

ARGENTINA

Mercado Buenos Aires

The first thing one notices when entering either of the Mercado Buenos Aires locations are the jerseys framed on the walls and scarves from Argentinian teams hung aloft. The jerseys of many legends of Argentine balompie are lined up in a football version of the Catholic stations of the cross.

The second thing one notices is the large mural depicting both Diego Armando Maradona, the deceased legend sometimes referred to as D10s, and his sporting heir Lionel Messi, global superstar and current captain of La Albiceleste.

While fans won’t be able to watch Messi & Co. live in Los Angeles, they will able to do so beside his mural while imbibing on the best of Argentine cuisine. Dine in and hit up the small grocery store inside to take some pastries, wines and sauces home.

Malbec Argentina

Malbec is the spot if you want to get fancy with it. The skirt steaks are amazing, and there aren’t enough adjectives to convey the mouth-watering wonders of their seafood menu. The Eagle Rock location includes a small market where you can purchase wines and other goodies; the Pasadena location has the TVs to watch Argentina attempt to retain its title as champion. The latter also features live music and tango on occasion.

BOLIVIA

Pao’s Pastries & Cafe

Options for Bolivian food are limited in L.A. Simply put, it’s one of the South American diasporas and gastronomy least represented in these parts. Thankfully, Pao’s Pastries & Cafe has held it down as the only Bolivian food restaurant in the county since 2019. The family-run business serves up numerous staples of Bolivian cuisine. You want silpancho? You GOT silpancho! You want cuñapes? You GOT cuñapes! And so forth.

The place is small, but if you get there in time, you’ll be able to enjoy a meal and the games. We recommend ordering a big batch of salteñas (Bolivian empanadas) for your watch party.

BRAZIL

Café Brasil

Cruise down Washington Blvd. in Culver City and you’ll eventually come upon a pair of brightly colored, tropical vibing buildings. One of those buildings is Cafe Brasil, home to a variety of Brazilian cuisine, all day breakfast, tropical juices, and delicious coffee. It’s like a mini version of Rio de Janeiro!

The building next door is a Brazilian-themed motel. We’ll let you explore that one on your own.

H&H Brazilian Steakhouse 

Do you love meat, barbecue, Brazil and restaurants with hundred dollar steaks? Have we got the spot for you! Celebrate a win by Brazil by bringing your group of friends to H&H for the churrasco experience! It may not have the futbol samba vibe you’ll want during a game, but you’ll eat real good!

Locations and hours:

CHILE

Rincón Chileno

This unassuming spot on Melrose near LACC has been a hidden gem for decades. Once inside Rincón Chileno, you’ll be warped into a cafe in Santiago and treated to your choice of Chilean delicacies. A single widescreen TV in the main room won’t distract from the taste of your tilapia or milanesa. Don’t forget to grab some empanadas, baked with fresh dough in-house, and wine to go from the attached delicatessen next door.

COLOMBIA

El Paisa

El Paisa in Long Beach (not to be confused with the various eateries throughout L.A. county of the same/similar name that serve Mexican cuisine) feels like a nonstop party no matter the time of day. Don’t be surprised if you walk in during the middle of someone’s amazing karaoke number. If you’re truly lucky, the karaoke will also include a band playing the song live instead of the karaoke machine. Take that energy and multiply by infinity when Colombia plays during the tournament!

La Fonda Antioqueña

La Fonda may not have live music or karaoke serenades, but it still offers great food and a wonderful atmosphere. You may even find yourself rooting on Colombia next to a celebrity, Colombian or otherwise, as many have been known to stop by (as evidenced by all the photographs on one wall).

ECUADOR

La Casita de Cancún Olé

L.A. was once home to a few amazing Ecuadorian food restaurants. Unfortunately, many of them have closed down in recent years. Thankfully, one of the best still stands strong: Cancún Olé. The owners shut down their brick & mortar location (minus the occasional holiday event) and moved everything into their home, hence the new name of La Casita de Cancún Olé.

During the 2022 World Cup, the owners set up a few TVs inside the living room and others outside in the front patio along with a DJ, a sound system, a karaoke machine and LOTS of food that seemed to float endlessly out of the kitchen. We expect this same setup this summer and also expect to cheer, laugh, sing and dance together with Ecuador’s diaspora, just like we did two years ago.

JAMAICA

Wah Gwaan Jamaican Kitchen and Bar

The motto that the fine folks at Wah Gwaan live by is “Good food. Good vibes.” If they weren’t so humble, they would probably switch it up to “Great food. Great vibes” because that would be more accurate. The jerk chicken is well-known as some of the best you can get off the island, and someone out there has surely written an epic poem as an ode to their curry shrimp.

The staff at Wah Gwaan recently celebrated their two-year anniversary with an outdoor party in the parking lot complete with music, good food and good vibes. There’ll be plenty of food and positive vibes here each time Jamaica plays during the tournament. They also do catering if you want to host the food and vibes at your watch party.

MÉXICO

There are literally too many events and restaurants for the Mexican national team to list here. You can go out and cheer/jeer with total strangers at dozens of locations or keep it chill at home with the kids and grandparents. Our take? Read on!

El Pescador 

The Ortiz family opened its first El Pescador location in 1983 in Bell Gardens. 40 years later, they’ve expanded to 15 locations in four counties. The Carson location is one of the latest to open up and features a large lounge and bar area in the front (aka Cantina #11) that’s great for watching live games.

There are multiple screens on every wall, a firme sound system, a DJ area and, if time schedules coincide, a live mariachi for serenatas.

Don Chente Bar & Grill

This restaurant is nestled on one side of Plaza La Alameda where Huntington Park meets Walnut Park meets Florence-Graham. There’s a huge statue of Chente outside for all your influencer needs, and this particular location also sells pulque once in a blue agave moon.

There are other locations spread throughout L.A. if you’re not up for the drive…but you also won’t have bronze Chente by your side!

Estrella Jalisco will also host watch parties for specific games in the plaza with a stage, music and a massive screen. They have not announced which games yet as of this publication.

PANAMA

Caribbean Soul Kitchen LA

The pride of Panama is on Wilshire Blvd. between Detroit and Cloverdale: Caribbean Soul Kitchen LA. You can’t miss it: it’s the brightest spot on the block! Here you’ll find husband-and-wife duo Chef RJ and Mercedes serving up dishes from Panama plus some Jamaican delicacies tossed in for good measure (chef is Panamanian with a Jamaican grandfather).

They’re still working out the logistics for two of the three games scheduled so far, as they fall on days they are typically closed. Call ahead to see if they’ll open for the games or if they’ll be catering a watch party somewhere.

Si-Mon

Upscale, swanky and laidback! Head down to Venice for the post-game vibes (no TVs here) at this newly opened spot S¡!-Mon and celebrate/mourn with the amazing seafood options and a delicious cocktail. Definitely make a reservation though!

PERU

El Agachadito

El Agachadito is a classic and timeless success story. The family-owned and operated business began in the family garage where the owners, the in-laws and the kids all helped cook and serve Peruvian dishes. The family eventually opened a stand in Van Nuys until graduating to a physical location in Panorama City...which opened just last month! Celebrate with the family by catching a game with a fistful of anticuchos.

Casa Chaskis

Casa Chaskis is where you go if you want to relive your trip to Cusco...or just say that you did without anyone knowing that you didn’t! You’ll have the added benefit of not suffering from altitude sickness (IYKYK). The space boasts a large patio, lots of beautiful art related to Peru and the Andes and loads of Peruvian gastronomy staples from the appetizers to the main dishes (white meat, dark meat AND seafood) to desserts. And if you’re still on the fence about it, I have two words for you: maracuya cheesecake!

UNITED STATES

This is the host nation’s second time playing the Copa América tournament. The Stars & Bars reached the semifinal in 2016, falling to Messi and Argentina, and will no doubt be looking to take it all this time as the new generation of U.S. players continues to leave its imprint on its way to hosting the next World Cup.

Here are a few options:

33 Taps DTLA 

33 Taps in downtown L.A. is the official home of the American Outlaws, a fan group dedicated to supporting the US national team. Wear your favorite U.S. jersey (bonus points for the ‘94 kit!) and join in the chants if you “believe that we will win!” There are also locations in Silver Lake and Culver City if you want to chant “YOU-ESS-AYE” in a different zip code. Plus they have plenty of non-alcoholic options for the designated driver in your group.

Tom’s Watch Bar, LA Live (and other locations)

The home of “All The Sports. All The Time.” And they’re not kidding! Tom’s promises to host every single match during the Copa América, which they’ll do alongside every other sport in season thanks to eleventy billion screens providing wall-to-wall coverage. Get lost in Christian Pulisic’s eyes and Ricardo Pepi’s ears in surround 4k HD!

VENEZUELA

Chamo Venezuelan Cuisine

If heaven were nothing but arepas and empanadas, it would probably look like Chamo. This spot off Colorado has grown since its opening in 2017 and currently features more than a dozen arepas and a half-dozen empanadas. There are also rotating seasonal specials and Venezuelan chicha (different from its Peruvian and Colombian cousins).

Cariaco Venezuelan Food

It’s a shame that Cariaco is to-go because there’s lots of great food here that deserves to be savored on the spot. That doesn’t knock it down any pegs on our scale though. The arepas are large enough to feed your watch party with one order (slight exaggeration!). Order early and order ahead along with some goods from the market inside.

In a rare move, Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia says his office issued a subpoena to Olympics organizing committee LA28 Friday, demanding it hand over documents detailing its finances, contracts and budgets for venue construction projects.

The action comes after LA28 failed to include a detailed list of its contracts in its recent budget report to the city, despite a contract requiring their disclosure.

The Games Agreement between the city and LA28 requires the committee to submit the name, type, amount, term and purpose of each contract it has entered into worth more than $1 million. It also requires the organizing committee to give updates on venue improvements, including schedules and budgets.

The controller issued a request for those details in a letter to LA28 in August, but says the organization still hasn’t satisfied its obligations. The city of Los Angeles is the financial backstop for the Games, and will be on the hook for cost overruns if LA28 doesn’t turn a profit.

“The Controller’s Office completed a review of all LA28 documents within the City’s possession and determined that the financial documents requested are either incomplete or wholly absent,” Mejia’s office wrote in a press release issued Friday.

LA28 did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.

There is precedent for city controllers issuing subpoenas, but they’re not common.

Former City Controller Ron Galperin told LAist that he only issued a subpoena while he was in office one time.

“It’s a power that controllers don’t necessarily exercise a lot, but when it’s the right time, it’s an important tool,” he said.

Galperin told LAist that when he issued the subpoena, he worked with the city attorney’s office.

It’s unclear if the city attorney worked with Mejia’s office to subpoena LA28. LAist asked the controller’s office, but has not yet received a response.

LAist has reached out to the mayor’s office, city attorney, chief legislative analyst and city administrative officer’s office for comment.

This is a developing story and will be updated. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:

• CalFire incident page
• Evacuation map
• OC Fire Authority
  

A brush fire near San Clemente spread to 465 acres Friday, burning at least four homes and prompting evacuation orders.

The Norte Fire ignited around 11:30 a.m. near Portico Del Norte and Eminencia Del Norte in San Clemente, and was 0% contained as of 2:40 p.m., according to Cal Fire.

The fire was reportedly burning homes in the area of Avenida Calita, Via La Mirada, and Via De Agua in San Juan Capistrano, with evacuations ordered for San Juan Zones 4, 5 and 10, and San Clemente Zones 12 and 13. Television news footage showed multiple homes on fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fires have ignited across Southern California, including in the Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu, amid gusty winds and dry conditions. Red flag warnings are in effect through Saturday, with cooler conditions and a chance of light rain expected to take over in the next few days.

The basics

• Acreage: 465 acres as of 2:40 p.m. Friday
• Containment: 0%
• Structures destroyed: At least four homes
• Deaths: None
• Injuries: None reported
• Personnel working on fire: Multiple helicopters and water-dropping aircraft, along with ground crews
  

Evacuation map and orders

Orange County evacuation map

• SCL12
• SCL13
• SJC04
• SJC05
• SJC10

Evacuation shelters

San Juan Capistrano Community Center
25925 Camino del Avion,
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

San Clemente Community Center
100 N Calle Seville
San Clemente, CA 92672

Listen to our Big Burn podcast

Fire resources and tips

Check out LAist's wildfire recovery guide

If you have to evacuate:

• Why fire officials don't want you to stay and defend your home
• How to get packed up
• How to leave your house
• What evacuation terms mean and how to sign up for alerts

Navigating fire conditions:

• How to drive in high winds and fire danger
• How to prep for power outages
• How to navigate poor air quality

How to help yourself and others:

• Resources for fire victims, evacuees and first responders
• If you want to help fire victims, resist the urge to volunteer
• How to help find lost pets

How to start the recovery process:

• What to do — and not do — when you get home after a wildfire
• How to make an insurance claim
• How to safely clean up wildfire ash

What to do for your kids:

• How to talk to children about wildfires and losing a home
• What parents should know about wildfire air quality

Prepare for the next disaster:

• Fire season is here. Make sure you're signed up for these alerts
• Every day is now fire season. Let's get you ready for the next wildfire
• Yes, wildfires are getting worse. The history that got us to this moment

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a time to honor the memory of loved ones who have died. The holiday’s most beloved traditions include building ofrendas at home or visiting cemeteries to decorate the graves of those who have departed. 

The celebration, widely observed in Mexico and other Latin American countries, also brings colorful, vibrant events to Los Angeles. On or before Nov. 1 and 2, cempasúchil-covered altars, intricately designed sugar calaveras and pan de muerto will spring up. 

We’ve rounded up a list of mostly free events on L.A.’s Eastside and downtown to celebrate the cherished cultural holiday.

Oct. 17: Día de los Muertos at El Sereno Community Arts 

El Sereno Community Arts presents its 17th annual Día de los Muertos community celebration with a day full of activities for the whole family. The event will feature free arts and culture programming, community altars, live musical performances and food from local vendors. The festival will also feature artwork and handmade catrinas made from the arts center’s community workshops. 

Oct. 17: What We Carry: East L.A. to Palestine at Tonalli Studio 

Tonalli Studio will open its Día de los Muertos exhibition and ofrenda to showcase how land, home and family are threatened today. What We Carry tells the stories of resilience across generations from the communities of East L.A. to Palestine. Guests are invited to add names, prayers or written statements to this year’s “East L.A. to Palestine” ofrenda. 

Oct. 18: Paint and Sip at Cafe Niña 

Join the beloved coffee spot for a morning decorating a miniature altar to add to your ofrenda at home.  Each ticket will include your choice of a coffee or matcha, a paint set with a miniature ofrenda and a light brunch. Tickets are limited, so be sure to grab yours through their Instagram page. 

Oct. 18: Crafting Party at Benny Boy Brewing 

Benny Boy Brewing is hosting its 4th Annual Día de los Muertos Crafting Celebration, featuring sugar skull decorating sessions. There will be an assortment of crafting materials to choose from and additional items include a clear box to display your completed sugar skull, ribbon, cempasuchil flowers and a customized tealight candle. Guests can purchase a small or large skull and get free face-painting. Please note that the event is for guests 21 and over. 

Oct. 24: Calavera LGBTQ+ Festival by Latino Equity Alliance 

The Latino Equity Alliance will celebrate its annual Calavera LGBTQ+ Festival with an evening of drag and musical performances, dancing, community resource booths and an altar. In collaboration with the Get Out the Vote Initiative, the festival will also feature a free, nonpartisan, L.A. County Mobile Voting Center located outside the venue for the public to access. 

Oct. 24 – Nov. 2: Día de los Muertos at Gloria Molina Grand Park 

For 10 days, Gloria Molina Grand Park will transform into an exhibition space honoring cultural traditions through art, community altars and remembrance. Kicking off the festivities with an opening ceremony, attendees can enjoy live musical performances from El Río, Grupo Bella, Anaís Azul, and Mariachi Arco Iris de Los Angeles. The celebration will honor indigenous roots by including a sacred processional and blessing from Ohtli Yollotl Collective. Guests can explore up to 17 unique altars from local artists and organizations on display and are encouraged to contribute to the event’s designated community altar by leaving a photo, note, or memento in remembrance of a loved one. This year’s theme is “The Power of One” and is curated by artist Consuelo G. Flores. Guests will be able to participate in family-friendly activities, including free face painting, sugar skull workshops and wellness offerings from community partners. 

Oct. 25: Family Day at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes 

For an afternoon full of family-friendly activities and entertainment, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes welcomes attendees to participate in this year’s community celebration. Featuring three workshops that explore traditional practices, including painting skull masks, flower accessories and herb bundles. Food from Tamales Veracruz y Más and Sammy’s Elotes y Más will be available for purchase. This year’s celebration will feature a number of live entertainment acts, including Banda Filarmónica Los Alebrijes, Grupo Folklórico Princesa Donaji, and Los Elejidos de Asís de los Muertos. LA Plaza encourages guests to contribute to their Ofrenda Comunitaria.

Oct. 25: Las Fotos Project Community Wellness Day 

In partnership with Youth to the People, Las Fotos Project is hosting its bi-monthly community wellness day with a Día de los Muertos celebration. The event will feature family-friendly activations like art-making, including their signature vela decorating station, calavera or catrina face painting,  a community ofrenda, and a stylized portrait station. Guests can enjoy light bites and beverages and explore the free clothing swap station and community resources available, including special guest Soluna to discuss their free mental health resources. In partnership with Polo’s Pantry and Saticoy Food Hub, there will also be fresh produce available while supplies last. 

Oct. 27: Community Ofrenda at SuperNova Thrift 

Beginning Oct. 24, SuperNova Thrift invites the community to take part in the making of their Día de los Muertos altar. People are encouraged to bring a photocopy of their loved ones with their name, a letter, drawing, or memory, flowers, and small nonvaluable offerings. Participants are also welcome to join by being a helping hand in the making of the altar. The altar will be open for viewing at the storefront from Oct. 27 to Nov. 2, with three special days of remembrance.

Oct. 30: 1st Street Community Block Party

The 1st Street Collective, a hub for the businesses along Boyle Heights’ 1st Street corridor, is back with its Día de Muertos Community Block Party at Mariachi Plaza. This year’s celebration will feature music, dancing, family-friendly activations and local vendors. Enjoy free face painting, live art installations, performances, a community altar and more for people of all ages. 

Nov. 1: Día de los Muertos at Plaza de la Raza 

Join Plaza de la Raza’s annual outdoor community celebration, which will include hands-on workshops, musical entertainment, art and local vendors. Attendees can join a variety of crafting workshops, from calaca puppet making to papel picado, alebrije making, and flower making with altarista Ofelia Esparza and family. Attendees can also walk through a vendor marketplace and explore the artwork and altar installations that will feature over 25 participating artists.  Live performances include members of Ozomatli, El Mariachi Manchester, Danza Divina de Los Angeles, Tiny Tots Folklorico, Plaza de La Raza Mariachi and Folklorico students, and Folkor Pasión Mexicana.  

The Boathouse Gallery will also be open for its “El Velorio” exhibit, featuring original work from over 200 local artists and curated by Superchief Gallery, Irene Hernandez and Manny Martinez. The exhibit will be on display from Oct. 10 to Nov. 7. 

Nov. 6 – 8: Every Altar Begins with a Story by Colibri Dance Theatre & Casa 0101 Theater 

This Día de Los Muertos, a contemporary theatrical dance production takes center stage at Casa 0101. Presented by the Colibri Dance Theatre, the performance will be full of stories of love, family, resilience, joy, grief, forgiveness and strength.  In this showcase, an altar comes to life as told through the eyes of CUENTOS characters “La Catrina,” “El Catrin,” “Alebrije,” and “Calacas.” Attendees can experience a night of movement, music, and poetry that honors Día de Muertos traditions and cultural practices. 

Nov. 7 : Cafecito + Little Piñata Workshop 

Join this community collaboration between Healing in Spanglish and Little Piñata Guy for a mini piñata workshop to dedicate and honor loved ones. Each attendee ticket includes coffee from Anhelo Coffee, Pan de Muerto by Repostería Aguilar, and materials to create your own mini piñata. Spend your morning remembering your loved ones and crafting with community. Tickets are limited. 

Nov. 7: Día de los Muertos at Self Help Graphics & Art 

To round out their monthlong community art workshops and events, Self Help Graphics and Art will host its 53rd Annual Día de los Muertos celebration. This year’s celebration is in partnership with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino. The communal gathering will begin with a procession at 2 p.m. at Mariachi Plaza led by Danza Azteca Chicomecoatl and will end on the corner of 1st Street and Anderson Street, outside Self Help Graphics, for the festivities. Attendees can shop through the “Muertos Market,” featuring local artists and artisans, local food vendors, Self Help Graphics prints for sale, face painting, and arts activities for all ages. The celebration will also include a main stage for live musical performances from Extra Ancestral, Chulita Vinyl Club L.A., Jimetta Rose and the Voices of Creation, La Santa Cecilia, The Red Alibi, Mendez High School Mariachi, and headliners, Los Lobos. 

Nov. 7 – 8: Floricanto’s Fiesta de Día de los Muertos

The Floricanto Center for Performing Arts and Danza Floricanto will host a Día de los Muertos-themed showcase for its 24th annual program. For one weekend only, the Center will be transformed into a cemetery, and a series of characters, including the show’s guide “La Catrina,” will lead audiences through an evening of storytelling and dance. The showcase will feature themes of love, death, mental illness, teen pregnancy and immigration. Show doors open 30 minutes before showtime. 

For years, California has grappled with a problem that has affected nearly every aspect of our society: The state doesn’t have enough homes that people can afford to live in. Proposition 1 aims to address that crisis.

It’s estimated that more than 180,000 Californians are homeless. Rents are so high that a minimum wage worker would need to work 102 hours a week to afford a typical one-bedroom apartment, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

A big piece of that problem is construction: Not enough homes are being built. Fewer than a third of California cities and counties are on track to permit enough market-rate housing to hit their state-mandated targets, and fewer than 6% are on track for very low-income housing. Those targets are based on the state’s assumption that we need nearly 2.5 million more homes.

Legislators have passed multiple laws trying to address that by making it easier, faster and cheaper to get projects permitted and built. Prop. 1 is supposed to supply the money.

A recent report estimated nearly 40,000 affordable units throughout California have been designed, permitted and partially funded and are sitting stalled because developers just can’t quite get enough money to build them.

What would Prop. 1 do?

If it passes, Prop. 1 would allow the state to sell $11.25 billion in general obligation bonds to fund various types of housing, including homes for veterans, homeless Californians, renters, homeowners, farmworkers, students and tribes.

Where would the money go?

Prop. 1 would fund a variety of programs. Here’s how it breaks down:

• $7.2 billion to buy, build or renovate apartment buildings, generally through low-interest loans to developers. Projects funded this way would have to reserve a certain number of units for low-income households. Some would be used for “supportive housing,” homeless housing that includes additional services. This, in combination with other funding sources, would help support up to 40,000 rental units, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office.
• $1.25 billion to help veterans secure loans to buy homes.
• $1.1 billion to help low and moderate-income households buy homes.
• $500 million for the infrastructure that supports new housing construction, such as water, sewage, parks and transportation improvements. 
• $450 million to build or renovate an estimated 2,500 units of farmworker housing. 
• $350 million to fund affordable homes for an estimated 1,200 University of California and California State University students.
• $200 million in housing grants to tribes, which could fund both home construction and renovation.
• $200 million up for grabs to cities, counties and other groups that pitch pilot projects to develop low-cost housing. 

How would California pay for it?

It would cost the state between $500 million and $600 million each year for about 25 years to repay the cost of the general housing bond, according to the legislative analyst. That money would come from the state’s general fund, and factors in interest. The $1.25 billion for veterans housing would not cost the state anything, as participating vets would pay it off through monthly loan payments.

Have we done anything like this before?

California voters approved (by the slimmest of margins) another bond in 2024 that provided $2 billion to fund homes for people who need mental health and addiction services and veterans. That 2024 bond also was dubbed Prop. 1.

What do supporters say?

Supporters include housing developers and advocates, veterans groups, the California State University and University of California boards, groups representing California’s cities and counties, Democratic legislators and Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Donors backing Prop. 1 also reflect some who would benefit. The campaign has received more than $12 million, including about $2 million from carpenters' unions, $1 million from Airbnb and $1 million from Building a Better California, a PAC funded by Google founder Sergey Brin and other Silicon Valley billionaires.

Vivian Wan, chief executive of affordable housing provider Abode, says her organization has four projects with a planned total of about 230 units in the works that she hopes Prop. 1 will fund. Three are in the Bay Area and one is in Yolo County. Without that cash infusion, all four projects are stalled, she said. Projects for homeless and low-income residents need large subsidies since their tenants don’t pay enough in rent to offset the cost of building. They often also have to fund additional services, such as case managers to help residents navigate their physical and mental health, addictions, finances and more. City and county dollars can pay for some but not all of that.

Prop. 1 would be “huge,” Wan said. But it wouldn’t magically solve the housing crisis.

“Is it enough? Absolutely not,” she said. “We are lightyears behind in terms of production to meet the need. We have underinvested in housing for decades. This is going to help, for sure, but we really need a permanent source.”

What do opponents say?

When this measure came up for a floor vote before the Legislature, two Republican senators voted no, as well as seven Republican assemblymembers.

Sen. Tony Strickland, a Republican from Huntington Beach who opposed the bill, said calling it “The Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026” amounted to a bait-and-switch maneuver, as only a small fraction of the total funds go to vets.

“It really just says that you're using veterans to pass your $10 billion general obligation bond,” he said during a June hearing.

And, he said, there are better ways to get families into housing than using a bond to “borrow money against the future.” The strong revenues California experienced this year won’t continue, making it risky to push the state deeper into debt, he said.

Opponents have not reported receiving any contributions.

This article was originally published on CalMatters and was republished under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives license.