A consortium of San Francisco landlords and property owners filed a lawsuit last week challenging the city’s new tax on vacant residences as unconstitutional and a violation of state law. Proposition M, “The Empty Homes Tax,”...more
In response to rent payments soaring across the country in recent years, the Biden administration unveiled new actions last Wednesday to protect tenants, make renting more affordable, and improve fairness in the rental...more
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has filed a proposal for a new rule to push local communities to take steps to address housing segregation. HUD said in a release that the rule, announced last...more
After years of record budget surpluses, California now faces a projected $22.5 billion budget deficit, Governor Gavin Newsom announced last week. As part of a required adjustment in state spending, Newsom proposed cutting...more
1/20/2023
/ Affordable Housing ,
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California ,
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Environmental Impact Report (EIR) ,
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Governor Newsom ,
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State Agencies ,
State Budgets
California’s Second District Court of Appeal recently affirmed that a shorter 90-day statute of limitations, and not a longer three- or four- year statute of limitations, applies to Political Reform Act (PRA) claims that...more
California air regulators voted unanimously last Thursday to approve an ambitious plan to drastically cut reliance on fossil fuels by changing practices in the energy, transportation, and agriculture sectors, but critics say...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
/ Affordable Housing ,
California ,
Churches ,
Community Development ,
Eviction ,
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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
/ Bay Area ,
California ,
CARB ,
Environmental Policies ,
Housing Developers ,
Housing Market ,
Low-Income Issues ,
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Rent Control ,
Rental Property ,
Roads ,
Sustainable Projects ,
Urban Planning & Development
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
New limits recommended for building homes in high-risk wildfire areas in California - The Mercury News – October 10 - At a news conference in San Diego County on October 10, California Attorney General Rob Bonta released...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
Governor Newsom signs Senator Dodd’s affordable housing bill - Sonoma Index-Tribune – September 21 - Governor Gavin Newsom on September 19 signed into law affordable housing legislation authored by Senator Bill Dodd. Senate...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
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
Two state bills may mean new housing in commercial corridors Bullet The Mercury News – August 30 In another effort to ease California’s housing crunch, state lawmakers this week pushed through two bills making it easier to...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
/ Climate Change ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Eviction ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Housing Developers ,
Moratorium ,
Multi-Family Development ,
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Real Estate Investments ,
Sustainability
San Francisco mayor vetoes law to end single-family zoning, arguing it will actually hurt housing production - San Francisco Chronicle – July 21 - San Francisco Mayor London Breed vetoed legislation that would have eliminated...more