Legislative Advocacy //byline Scott Terrell, Director of Government Relations June 19, 2024 With a process that began at the first AIA California Board meeting last year, AIA California renewed its commitment to making an impact in the Housing arena. On that day we heard from leading experts in California housing policy and architects leading on Housing. From there the Board engaged in a workshop on how we, as an organization, could make the biggest impact. That feedback culminated in the creation of a Housing Steering Committee, which took that feedback and, over many months, assembled a Housing Policy Statement that was approved by the Board earlier this year. One of the Housing Steering Committee’s main initial objectives has been to focus on building relationships with and engaging allied organizations within the housing community that are doing great work to advance initiatives that are in line with our policy. Two of those organizations are the Casita Coalition and the Housing Action Coalition. These organizations have both been active in housing policy development for years. This year is no different, as each organization is advancing important legislation. Below are a few of the bills that AIA California is supportive of: Housing Action Coalition Sponsored Bills: Senate Bill 937 (Wiener) will address the financial barriers facing the housing industry by amending two key policy areas: (1) extending the timeline for entitled housing projects (2) changing the fee payment schedule for new housing projects. Extending Housing Entitlements: With a significant number of entitled projects unable to move forward due to financing challenges, the bill would extend all housing entitlements by an additional 24 months. New Fee Payment Schedule: SB 937 would also defer the collection of development fees until project completion. Assembly Bill 2243 (Wicks) amends the language of the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022 (AB 2011, Wicks), which allowed the development of multi-family infill housing in areas zoned for parking, retail, and office. In return for making these housing developments by-right, developers need to provide affordable housing on-site and ensure that the construction workers are paid the prevailing wage. The amendments in AB 2243 help facilitate the implementation of AB 2011 by expanding its geographic applicability and clarifying aspects of the law that are subject to interpretation. Casita Coalition Sponsored Bills: Senate Bill 1077 (Blakespear) will responsibly exempt ADUs and JADUs on qualified sites from the additional permitting requirements and cost of Coastal Development Permits, reducing the time and cost burdens for homeowners willing to add long-term more affordable ADU homes to their properties. Senate Bill 1211 (Skinner) improves flexibility for ADU type and location of ADUs on multifamily properties so the existing site cap allowances can be workable for more properties. We applaud these organizations for their commitment to moving the needle on much-needed housing reforms in California. It truly takes a coalition of individuals and industries dedicated to making an impact on housing reform. For a comprehensive list of all the bills AIA California has taken a position on this year, click here.
Housing Policy Synergy: What Our Allied Organizations Are Working On
//byline
Scott Terrell, Director of Government Relations
With a process that began at the first AIA California Board meeting last year, AIA California renewed its commitment to making an impact in the Housing arena. On that day we heard from leading experts in California housing policy and architects leading on Housing. From there the Board engaged in a workshop on how we, as an organization, could make the biggest impact. That feedback culminated in the creation of a Housing Steering Committee, which took that feedback and, over many months, assembled a Housing Policy Statement that was approved by the Board earlier this year.
One of the Housing Steering Committee’s main initial objectives has been to focus on building relationships with and engaging allied organizations within the housing community that are doing great work to advance initiatives that are in line with our policy.
Two of those organizations are the Casita Coalition and the Housing Action Coalition. These organizations have both been active in housing policy development for years. This year is no different, as each organization is advancing important legislation. Below are a few of the bills that AIA California is supportive of:
Housing Action Coalition Sponsored Bills:
Senate Bill 937 (Wiener) will address the financial barriers facing the housing industry by amending two key policy areas: (1) extending the timeline for entitled housing projects (2) changing the fee payment schedule for new housing projects.
Extending Housing Entitlements: With a significant number of entitled projects unable to move forward due to financing challenges, the bill would extend all housing entitlements by an additional 24 months.
New Fee Payment Schedule: SB 937 would also defer the collection of development fees until project completion.
Assembly Bill 2243 (Wicks) amends the language of the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022 (AB 2011, Wicks), which allowed the development of multi-family infill housing in areas zoned for parking, retail, and office. In return for making these housing developments by-right, developers need to provide affordable housing on-site and ensure that the construction workers are paid the prevailing wage. The amendments in AB 2243 help facilitate the implementation of AB 2011 by expanding its geographic applicability and clarifying aspects of the law that are subject to interpretation.
Casita Coalition Sponsored Bills:
Senate Bill 1077 (Blakespear) will responsibly exempt ADUs and JADUs on qualified sites from the additional permitting requirements and cost of Coastal Development Permits, reducing the time and cost burdens for homeowners willing to add long-term more affordable ADU homes to their properties.
Senate Bill 1211 (Skinner) improves flexibility for ADU type and location of ADUs on multifamily properties so the existing site cap allowances can be workable for more properties.
We applaud these organizations for their commitment to moving the needle on much-needed housing reforms in California. It truly takes a coalition of individuals and industries dedicated to making an impact on housing reform.
For a comprehensive list of all the bills AIA California has taken a position on this year, click here.
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