Bernie Sanders calls out Apple over $2.5B contribution for California real estate crisis

Apple will do its part to aid with the California real estate crisis by contributing $2.5 billion to state and other efforts. That comes versus the background of real estate rates continuing to increase in parts of the state and a growing homeless population — which Democratic governmental prospect Bernie Sanders says the business assisted develop. 

The dedication will take 2 years to be completely used by the state and will be expanded to assist establish brand-new real estate tasks, fund novice property buyers and address problems with the homeless. 

“Before the world knew the name Silicon Valley, and long before we carried technology in our pockets, Apple called this region home, and we feel a profound civic responsibility to ensure it remains a vibrant place where people can live, have a family and contribute to the community,” stated Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, in a declaration Monday. “Affordable housing means stability and dignity, opportunity and pride. When these things fall out of reach for too many, we know the course we are on is unsustainable, and Apple is committed to being part of the solution.”

Apple will devote $1 billion to a real estate mutual fund that will provide the state and othes a credit line to establish and develop brand-new, lower-cost real estate for low- to moderate-income households. Another billion will assist novice property buyers with funding and deposit help. The iPhone maker will likewise contribute a few of its land in San Jose, worth $300 million. In addition, it will supply $150 million to money long-lasting forgivable loans and grants for the Bay Area. The last $50 million will go to assist the homeless in Silicon Valley. 

Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Democrat from Vermont, reacted Monday to Apple’s promise, calling it hypocritical. 

“Apple’s announcement that it is entering the real estate lending business is an effort to distract from the fact that it helped create California’s housing crisis — all while raking in $800 million of taxpayer subsidies and keeping a quarter trillion dollars of profit offshore in order to avoid paying billion of dollars in taxes,” the Democratic president prospect stated in a news release Monday. “We cannot rely on corporate tax evaders to solve California’s housing crisis.”

The Cupertino, California-based business has a history of tax issues. The United States Senate examined Apple in 2013 over its $103 billion kept in overseas accounts. This past September, the business started a legal fight with the European Union over a $14 billion tax expense from 2016 it states “defies reality and common sense.” 

Other Silicon Valley tech business have actually likewise cracked in to handle the crisis. Facebook recently vowed $1 billion to assist the area, where real estate rates have actually increased. In June, Google contributed $1 billion to aid with the real estate scarcity in the Bay Area.

Originally released on Nov. 4.
Update, Nov. 5: Adds Sen. Sanders remark. 

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