Gov. Gavin Newsom this month signed into law a comprehensive package of housing bills, including over 20 measures supported by the California Apartment Association.
Among other things, these pieces of legislation aim to expedite housing development, allow new housing construction on lands owned by colleges and religious institutions, and hold cities and counties accountable for meeting housing needs.
Furthermore, these laws will promote balanced housing policies that increase supply. As more housing becomes available, it has historically reduced the push for new local rent control laws and extreme rent control measures at the state level.
From the Assembly
AB 84 by Assemblyman Christopher Ward (D-San Diego) expands the low-income housing welfare property tax exemption. It authorizes 501(c)(3) bonds as an eligible form of financing and allows a unit in a development not financed with low-income housing tax credits to remain eligible if the tenant’s income rises to no more than 100% of the area median income.
AB 281 by Assemblyman Tim Grayson (D-Contra Costa) mandates that special districts adhere to specified timeframes when reviewing and approving post-entitlement phase permit applications from housing developers.
AB 346 by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) allows the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee to reallocate some of the $500 million in state low-income housing tax credits from 4% federal credit projects to 9% federal credit projects.
AB 434 by Assemblyman Tim Grayson (D-Contra Costa) adds specified housing laws that the Department of Housing and Community Development must enforce. This includes the requirement for local governments to ministerially approve accessory dwelling units and up to 10 units in multifamily zones.
AB 516 by Assemblyman James Ramos (D-San Bernardino) requires local governments to provide more information in their Mitigation Fee Act reports.
AB 821 by Assemblyman Tim Grayson (D-Contra Costa) mandates that local agencies approve developments consistent with their general plans but not applicable zoning ordinances, or make the zoning ordinance consistent with the general plan within 180 days.
AB 894 by Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D-Los Angeles) requires public agencies to count underutilized and shared parking spaces toward a parking requirement.
AB 976 by Assemblyman Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) makes permanent the existing law that prohibits local governments from requiring owner occupancy on a parcel containing an accessory dwelling unit.
AB 1033 by Assemblyman Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) allows cities and counties with a local accessory dwelling unit ordinance to permit ADUs to be sold separately or conveyed from the primary residence as condominiums.
AB 1114 by Assemblyman Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) expands the post-entitlement permits subject to expedited review process and timelines.
AB 1287 by Assemblyman David Alvarez (D-San Diego) requires local governments to grant additional density and concessions if an applicant agrees to include more low- or moderate-income units.
AB 1386 by Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) authorizes entities to refer veterans to deeply affordable housing units at higher income levels under certain conditions.
AB 1485 by Assemblyman Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) allows legal action against local governments that have violated the state’s housing laws.
AB 1490 by Assemblyman Alex Lee (D-San Jose) allows for the adaptive reuse of existing buildings in affordable housing projects under specified conditions.
From the Senate
SB 4 by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) requires housing development projects to be a “use by right” on lands owned by independent educational or religious institutions.
SB 229 by Sen. Thomas Umberg (D-Santa Ana) mandates a public meeting for local agencies that have received a Surplus Land Act violation notice.
SB 240 by Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) prioritizes housing for formerly incarcerated individuals in the disposal of state surplus land.
SB 423 by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) extends the sunset date on SB 35 until January 1, 2036, allowing for streamlined approval of housing projects.
SB 439 by Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) creates a special motion to strike challenges to the approval of affordable housing projects.
SB 482 by Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) mandates that the Department of Housing and Community Development offer capitalized operating reserves to supportive housing units.
SB 734 by Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) specifies that tenancies in publicly owned affordable housing are not subject to a “possessory interest tax.”
