California Apartment Association

By Debra Carlton

A wide range of bills proposed in the state Legislature this year take aim at California’s dearth of affordable housing.

The proposals, consistent with recent recommendations from the state’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, would provide dollars to build housing and homeless shelters, while lifting obstacles to private residential construction.

The following pro-housing bills supported by the California Apartment Association would:

Bring more units to new projects

AB 1934 (D-Santiago) would clarify that a local government may issue a density bonus (allowing for more units in a project) to commercial developers when they include affordable housing as a component of their commercial development.

AB 2501 (Bloom) would make it faster, easier and more economical for developers to obtain density bonuses in exchange for including affordable housing in the developments. This bill is co-sponsored by CAA.

Provide money for housing

AB 2319 (D-Gordon) would authorize the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) to provide loans to local governments and nonprofit corporations for affordable housing construction.

AB 2728 (D-Atkins) 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.

AB 2734 (D-Atkins) would direct the Department of Finance to calculate the state savings resulting from the elimination of redevelopment agencies and require that 50 percent of those savings or $1 billion dollars, whichever is greater, be redirected to local governments to address affordable housing needs.

AB 2817 (D-Chiu) proposes to increase the state Low Income Housing Tax Credit allocation by an additional $300 million for the creation and preservation of affordable rental homes.

Hold local governments accountable

AB 2584 (Daly) authorizes organizations such as CAA to bring legal action against a local government that denies housing projects in violation of state law. This bill is sponsored by CAA.

Add housing to existing parcels

AB 2208 (D-Santiago) would require that, before construction, rooftops of public buildings be offered to private or nonprofit developers for the construction of affordable housing.

AB 2299 (D-Bloom) 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. This bill is sponsored by CAA.

Expedite approval of housing

AB 2180 (D-Ting) proposes to expedite the building permit process by shortening the number of days that a local government must take to approve a new housing project. This bill is sponsored by CAA.

Help the homeless

AB 1500 (R-Maienschein) would provide that if a local government elects to identify supportive or transitional housing developments for the homeless in its housing plans, the development must be allowed as a permitted use without additional permits or a lengthy approval process.

Separately, California legislators propose to allocate $2 billion to build housing for the homeless. Officials estimate the construction funds, combined with federal and local money, could generate 10,000 to 14,000 units for California’s 116,000 homeless individuals and families.