One of the most important housing bills this legislative session has been signed by the Governor. AB 1633 promotes climate-friendly infill housing in the most location-efficient areas by ending “more study” requirements, once legally-sufficient environmental review has been conducted.
“California is in a housing crisis, and one way out of it is to build more places to live as fast as we can. Unnecessary delays to projects that have already gone through the mandatory environmental steps are only slowing us down. The Governor’s signature on my bill puts developments on a faster track to completion and helps ease housing shortages that keep prices high,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco).
AB 1633 strengthens the state’s Housing Accountability Act (HAA), clarifying that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) cannot be used to endlessly delay or block housing projects, once all legal requirements have been met. The legislation does not alter CEQA in any way.
One San Francisco case highlights the misuse of CEQA and the need for AB 1633. Back in 2021, The Board of Supervisors overturned the Planning Commission’s approval of a 500-unit project located at 469 Stevenson Street, a site near transit identified as a priority for development under the region’s climate plan. They provided no clear direction on how to bring the plans into compliance – only declaring the need for “further environmental study.” The state has intervened to help move the still pending project forward.
In another step to help housing production, the Governor signed AB 480 by Ting, which updates the Surplus Lands Act to reduce red tape and encourage local governments to make public land available for affordable housing development.
Ting is also celebrating the signing of his Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bills, which continues the momentum of the “backyard revolution” in California. The most impactful is AB 1033, which opens the door to affordable homeownership by allowing these tiny homes, cottages, or casitas to be sold as condominiums.
“Signing AB 1033 into law will help families burdened by high housing costs. Our children won’t have to move out of state to purchase a home; employers will be able to attract and retain workers who would otherwise leave our state due to lack of affordable homes; and elders who want to downsize and stay in their communities will have new options,” said Denise Pinkston, President of the Casita Coalition.
Other ADUs bills signed:
- AB 976: Removes requirement that ADUs be owner-occupied; signed today.
- AB 932: Directs CalHFA to analyze their ADU Grant Program and report back to the Legislature by 2025; signed by the Governor on September 8, 2023.
The above housing bills take effect January 1, 2024. In addition to the policy bills enacted, Ting successfully championed another $25 million in this year’s budget for California’s popular ADU Grant Program, which helps homeowners with pre-construction costs.