Merced County Residents Call for Local Investment in Affordable Housing Program

CNC EF members urged Board of Supervisors to dedicate discretionary funds to housing, as thousands of local households struggle with affordability

MERCED, California — Merced County residents and Communities for a New California Education Fund (CNC EF) called on the Board of Supervisors to allocate 1%, or $2.4 million, in discretionary funds to the Affordable Housing Program, increasing the program’s FY 2026–2027 budget to approximately $5 million. The funds were not granted by the Board of Supervisors.

The demand comes from ongoing community organizing led by CNC EF. In the weeks leading up to the September 29 Final Budget Hearing, organizers and members canvassed neighborhoods, invited residents to community meetings, and created opportunities for people to learn about the County budget and engage on housing issues affecting their families. Residents from Delhi, Le Grand, Planada, and Merced then brought their demand directly to the Board.

CNC EF Executive Director Hatzune Aguilar shared, “The September 29 action built on years of organizing by CNC EF members and community partners, including meetings with County leaders and efforts to bring residents directly into decisions about housing and public resources. Our voices need to be heard when it’s our tax dollars and funding are at stake.”

According to the 2025 San Joaquin Valley Speaks survey, 32.9% of San Joaquin Valley residents surveyed, including respondents in Merced County, cited the rising cost of living and housing affordability as having the greatest negative impact on their households. Among those concerned about affordable housing, half said rents were too high and nearly a quarter said there were not enough affordable homes in their communities.

The California Housing Partnership’s 2026 Merced County Affordable Housing Needs Report found that nearly 9,000 households in Merced County do not have access to an affordable home. Among extremely low-income households, 78% spend more than half of their income on housing costs, a six percentage point increase from 2024.

“Families across Merced County are rent-burdened; their housing costs are stretching their budgets, and they want to see local resources invested in one of the biggest challenges affecting their households,” said Rosa Inguanzo, CNC EF Lead Community Organizer. “The County has an opportunity to put our local dollars toward affordable housing and respond directly to what residents have been raising for years.”

The need is urgent: The 2026 Merced City and County Continuum of Care reported that approximately 55,000 residents are at risk of becoming homeless, underscoring how many families are living close to the edge of housing instability.

For Latina residents, unmet housing needs present additional challenges. “While Latinas are a powerful part of Merced County, too many are working jobs that are necessary to our neighborhoods, but they also pay less. Consequently, more and more of their income is being spent on rent,” said Anna Lisa Vargas, CNC EF Lead Community Organizer. “Many are caregivers, workers and heads of household who are working hard and doing everything they can to support their families. That’s why we are advocating for housing investments that give families a real chance to build stability and create a future where they can do more than make ends meet.”

CNC EF members and allies also asked the Board to work more strategically with the Housing Authority to understand resident needs and funding opportunities, including through quarterly meetings, greater engagement with housing developers, and advocacy with state legislators. Residents are also calling for greater transparency in how discretionary funds are used and more opportunities for public participation in the County budget process, including budget workshops in each supervisorial district. The Board currently holds two Budget hearings: the first in June to present its proposed budget, and the second in September to accept the final budget. This process does not include public input or questions. 

During the Budget Hearing, residents secured a commitment to a countywide survey of neighborhood needs, which CNC EF will use as an additional accountability tool to support demands for increased funding for affordable housing. 

For CNC EF, the September 29 hearing is one step in a longer effort to ensure residents have a sustained role in shaping the decisions that affect their communities. The organization will continue to press for action on the housing priorities residents have identified and to create pathways for residents to turn their concerns into transformative action.

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Communities for a New California Education Fund (CNC EF) is committed to empowering California’s underserved communities through grassroots efforts, advocacy, and public education. CNC EF addresses critical issues, including environmental justice, voter engagement, and equitable access to resources.