Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have filed a lawsuit accusing the city of Huntington Beach of violating state housing laws, seeking a preliminary injunction against the city....more
A measure known as the “Builder’s Remedy” added to the state’s Housing Accountability Act in 1990 has suddenly become the focus of developers looking to bypass typical zoning rules and build high-rise apartment projects....more
Governor Gavin Newsom said he will work this year to reform a landmark state environmental law that he says has been weaponized by wealthy homeowners to block badly-needed housing for students at UC Berkeley....more
The Mercury News – December 6-
Just one day after the start of the new legislative session, Senator Scott Wiener announced Senate Bill 4 — the “Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act.” The bill would remove red tape for...more
12/14/2022
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Rent control expands as tenants struggle with the record-high cost of housing -
NPR – November 28 -
In November, voters in Florida, Maine, and California approved ballot measures to impose or tighten caps on rent hikes....more
12/6/2022
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Biden administration approves $250M for energy efficiency upgrades in homes and businesses - The Hill – November 15 - The Biden administration announced that it will allocate $250 million in formula funding for energy...more
A developer's guide to the Builder's Remedy - Allen Matkins – November 4 -
The so-called "Builder's Remedy" under the Housing Accountability Act (HAA) is disciplinary and applies when a local jurisdiction has not adopted a...more
The so-called “Builder’s Remedy” under the Housing Accountability Act (HAA) is punitive and applies when a local jurisdiction has not adopted a revised Housing Element in compliance with state law, in which case the local...more
San Francisco Board of Supervisors approves new fourplex law - San Francisco Chronicle – October 17 - For the second time this year, San Francisco supervisors have passed legislation allowing fourplexes to be built in every...more
Governor Newsom signs bill to fast-track climate-friendly transportation projects Bullet CBS News – September 30 Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that would fast-track approval of bicycle, rapid bus, light rail, and...more
New state laws allow housing on commercial properties - Multi-Housing News – September 30 - Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two bills into law that incentivize developers to convert commercial properties into much-needed...more
Los Angeles County commits to lifting eviction moratorium by year’s end - Los Angeles Times – September 14 - Los Angeles County will move forward with a plan to lift its pandemic-era eviction moratorium and other renter...more
If approved by Governor Newsom, Assembly Bill (AB) 2011 would provide for “by right” streamlined ministerial (i.e., no CEQA) approval of qualifying mixed-income and affordable housing projects along commercial corridors in...more
California voters to decide on repeal of anti-public housing measure in 2024 Los Angeles Times – September 2 Nearly 75 years after amending the state Constitution to make it harder to build public housing, California voters...more
Proposed California affordable housing bills could create more than a million apartments - KQED – August 22 - View in browser Allen Matkins SustDevLndUseUpd August 24, 2022 Focus Proposed California affordable housing bills...more
State launches review of San Francisco’s housing approval practices Bullet SFGate – August 9 The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is launching an unprecedented review of San Francisco's housing...more
Development and construction trends in California’s multifamily housing market Bullet Allen Matkins – July 21 Allen Matkins recently moderated a panel at the California Multifamily Forum to discuss current trends in...more
8/9/2022
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State Supreme Court decision could complicate CEQA review of certain housing projects - San Francisco Chronicle – July 14 - The state Supreme Court has left intact a ruling by the First District Court of Appeal that rejected...more
California cities get more time to rezone land for housing Bullet Pasadena Star-News – July 11 Southern California cities and counties have received a three-year reprieve from a state deadline to rezone land for future...more
San Francisco plans to end single-family zoning Bullet San Francisco Chronicle – June 28 Last Tuesday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors narrowly approved legislation seeking to eliminate single-family zoning and instead...more
California legislators propose helping people buy homes in exchange for partial ownership Bullet KQED – June 16 State legislators are proposing to create a billion-dollar fund in this year’s state budget that would provide...more
Senator Wiener revives plan for by-right affordable housing on certain sites owned by religious institutions or private non-profit higher educational institutions CBS Bay Area – June 10 Last week, State Senator Scott Wiener...more
Warehouse “buffer bill” advances in California legislature Bullet The Real Deal – June 2 A bill that proposes a 1,000-foot buffer zone between large warehouse developments and residential areas has advanced through one...more
Settlement could bring thousands of new housing units to North San Jose after decade-long pause Bullet The Mercury News – May 20 For nearly a decade, San Jose had been paralyzed from building any new housing in a prime area...more
Judge rejects lawsuit over California housing density bill (SB 10) Bullet Courthouse News Service – May 12 Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James Chalfant held last week that the California Legislature has the...more