Big Win for Housing in California

Breaking the stranglehold of single-family zoning on California’s housing landscape has long been seen as a critical part of addressing the state’s massive housing shortage and affordability crisis. So, the Bay Area Council and housing advocates across the state loudly cheered this week as two major housing reform bills aimed at effectively ending single-family zoning cleared key hurdles and now appear headed to Gov. Newsom’s desk for his signature.

SB 9, authored by Sen. Toni Atkins, would allow homeowners in most areas around the state to divide their property into two lots, thereby increasing opportunities for homeownership in their neighborhood; and would allow two homes to be built on each of those lots, with the effect of legalizing fourplexes in areas that previously only allowed one home. SB 10, authored by Sen. Scott Weiner, would make it easier for cities to zone for smaller, lower-cost housing developments of up to 10 units in transit-rich areas or other urban infill sites, all while maintaining local control. The Council strongly encourages Gov. Newsom to sign these two bills when they reach his desk.