2299 bloom photo
Assemblyman Richard Bloom on AB 2299.

Assemblyman Tom Daly on AB 2584
Assemblyman Tom Daly on AB 2584

By Thursday evening, all four housing-production bills sponsored by the California Apartment Association had advanced from the Assembly to the state Senate.

Three of the bills moved off the Assembly floor in the past week — the latest coming Thursday, June 2, with the approval of AB 2299. This legislation, authored by Assemblyman Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica, would mandate that local governments allow for the construction of second units on residential lots if those units meet specific standards and are located within one-half mile of public transportation.

On Friday, May 27, the Assembly approved another bill authored by Bloom, AB 2501, which would make it faster, easier and more economical for developers to obtain density bonuses in exchange for including affordable housing in developments.

Bloom video
Bloom on AB 2501.

Assemblyman Philip Ting and CAA's Shant Apekian on AB 2180.
Assemblyman Philip Ting and CAA’s Shant Apekian on AB 2180.

Also last Friday, the Assembly approved AB 2180, which proposes to expedite the building permit process by shortening the number of days that a local government can take to approve a new housing project. The bill  was authored by Assemblyman Philip Ting, D-San Francisco.

These three CAA bills reached the Senate nearly a month after CAA-sponsored AB 2584 by Assemblyman Tom Daly, D-Anaheim. This bill, approved by the Assembly on May 9, authorizes organizations such as CAA to bring legal action against a local government that denies housing projects in violation of state law.

Other CAA-supported housing-production bills that advanced to the the Senate this week:

 

AB 2817 by Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco: Proposes to increase the state Low Income Housing Tax Credit allocation by $300 million for the creation and preservation of affordable rental homes. Approved by the Assembly on Wednesday, June 1.

AB 2728 by Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, D-San Diego: Would extend a current funding program, known as the California Organized Investment

Network (COIN), scheduled to expire in 2017. It would extend the funding credit for another 10 years, providing dollars to underserved communities in California. COIN is a collaborative effort between the Department of Insurance (DOI), the insurance industry, and community economic development organizations. DOI administers the COIN program, which awards up to $10 million in tax credits per year to support $50 million in capital from insurance companies and other investors for community development. Approved by the Assembly on Tuesday, May 31.

Assemblywoman Toni Atkins on AB 2728.
Assemblywoman Toni Atkins on AB 2728.

Assemblyman David Chiu on AB 2817.
Assemblyman David Chiu on AB 2817.