New bill may speed up housing project approval in coastal cities and fire zones in California.
California Law Streamlines Approval Process for Affordable Housing Projects
Since 2018, California law has provided a streamlined approval process for certain affordable and multifamily housing projects. This allows developers to bypass time-consuming environmental reviews, public input, and receive expedited approval from local governments.
Signed into law by former Gov. Jerry Brown, Senate Bill 35 enables a streamlined approval process for these projects in cities that have not met state-mandated housing goals. However, the law excludes projects in coastal and fire danger zones.
Now, Senate Bill 423, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), is on the governor’s desk. If passed, it will extend the existing law by a decade and include some coastal and fire hazard zones.
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The bill has already passed the Assembly and the Senate with strong support. Sen. Wiener believes that with the strengthened provisions of SB 35, California’s ambitious housing goals can be achieved.
According to Sen. Wiener, SB 35 has been a powerful tool for driving affordable housing development. Since its passage, over 18,000 units of affordable housing have been created.
California’s housing department has set a goal of building 2.5 million new homes in the next eight years, including 1 million for low-income families. However, SB 35 has been limited in its effectiveness due to various factors such as interest rates, building material costs, and strict labor standards.
If SB 423 becomes law, it will remove certain labor requirements for qualifying projects, making it easier for developers to find workers. The bill aims to expand housing opportunities in areas that have traditionally opposed residential development, particularly coastal communities.
The California Conference of Carpenters, an organization advocating for better working conditions, supports the bill. They believe it will create significant work opportunities for union members and foster organizing opportunities.
While SB 423 removes the exclusion of coastal zones, environmentally sensitive areas that could be affected by sea level rise will still be exempt. The bill also streamlines approval for projects in fire risk zones, provided that adequate fire mitigation protections are in place.
However, the League of California Cities, along with 108 other cities, opposes the bill. They argue that it creates a one-size-fits-all approach that disregards the needs of local jurisdictions, environmental review, and public input.
The League of California Cities suggests allocating $3 billion annually in the state’s budget to support cities in residential development and homelessness prevention, rather than relying solely on a state-driven housing approval process.
Various cities, including Newport Beach, Beverly Hills, Tustin, Palm Desert, San Clemente, Huntington Beach, Thousand Oaks, Apple Valley, and many others, have expressed their opposition to SB 423.
Furthermore, organizations like the Mission Economic Development Association argue that the bill does not do enough to ensure affordable housing. They advocate for amendments that increase affordability requirements and protect vulnerable communities from displacement.
How does Senate Bill 423 aim to address the limitations of the Ted in terms of affordable housing development in coastal and fire hazard zones?
Ted in its effectiveness due to its exclusion of coastal and fire danger zones. This has hindered the development of affordable housing in some of the most high-demand areas in the state.
With the introduction of Senate Bill 423, these limitations will be addressed. The new bill aims to extend the existing streamlined approval process by ten years and include coastal and fire hazard zones. This expansion will open up opportunities for affordable housing development in areas where it is most needed.
The importance of providing affordable housing in California cannot be overstated. The state is facing a severe housing crisis, with skyrocketing housing costs and a shortage of affordable options for low-income individuals and families. This crisis has resulted in a significant increase in homelessness and housing insecurity across the state.
By streamlining the approval process for affordable housing projects, California can make significant progress in addressing this crisis. It will allow developers to move forward more quickly with the construction of affordable housing units, increasing the supply of housing available to low-income individuals and families.
The success of Senate Bill 35 in creating over 18,000 units of affordable housing demonstrates the effectiveness of the streamlined approval process. With the passage of Senate Bill 423, this success can be expanded upon, leading to even greater accomplishments in meeting the state’s ambitious housing goals.
It is worth noting that there have been some concerns raised about the potential negative impacts of streamlining the approval process. Critics argue that it could lead to the bypassing of vital environmental and community input, potentially resulting in the degradation of neighborhoods and natural habitats.
While these concerns should not be dismissed, it is important to remember that the streamlined approval process still requires compliance with all relevant building codes and regulations. It is not a free pass to bypass environmental protections or community engagement.
In fact, the streamlined process can be seen as a way to prioritize the need for affordable housing while ensuring that necessary safeguards are still in place. It allows for a more efficient decision-making process, reducing delays and bringing much-needed housing to communities in a timely manner.
California has made significant strides in addressing its housing crisis, and Senate Bill 423 is a crucial step forward. By extending and expanding the streamlined approval process, the state can continue to make progress in meeting its housing goals and providing affordable housing for all Californians. Affordable housing is not a luxury but a basic necessity, and it is essential to support legislation that facilitates its development.
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