California stands at a pivotal juncture in 2025, confronting an array of environmental and housing challenges. As usual, the California State Legislature is considering numerous strategies to address these issues. This year’s...more
Various state housing bills are currently making their way through the California State Legislature that are expected to benefit mixed-income multifamily housing developers. The following summaries reflect the status of the...more
The San Diego City Council voted on March 4, 2025, to begin the process of revising its Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Bonus Program (ADU Bonus Program or Program), which has served, to date, as one of the state’s most...more
On August 6, 2024, Governor Maura Healey signed into law, the Affordable Homes Act, (H.4977) authorizing nearly $5.16 billion in spending over the next five years with approximately 49 policy initiatives to counter rising...more
New York City has taken what it intends to be a significant step toward addressing its housing crisis with the City Council’s December 5, 2024, approval of the third, and final, element of Mayor Adams’ City of Yes housing and...more
On December 5, 2024, the New York City Council approved with modifications the NYC Department of City Planning’s (DCP) City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, the third and final of Mayor Adams’ City of Yes initiatives. The new...more
As in previous years, California saw a significant volume of new housing legislation emerge from Sacramento in 2024. (See Holland & Knight's previous annual recaps of California Housing Laws in the final section below.) This...more
The Massachusetts Affordable Homes Act (H. 4977), signed into law on August 6, 2024, includes provisions intended to promote residential housing construction. These provisions: (1) require municipalities to permit accessory...more
On August 6, 2024, Governor Healey signed “The Affordable Homes Act” into law. This ambitious bill authorizes $5.16B and encompasses various policies aimed at spurring housing development. It is anticipated that the new...more
The 2023 California Legislative session, like the last several, saw the enactment of a large number of significant new housing production laws. (See Holland & Knight's previous annual recaps of California Housing Laws in the...more
With the state facing a severe housing crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law that will make it easier for universities and other housing developers to build housing and overcome lawsuits from local residents...more
As in previous years, the California Legislature enacted a large volume of housing production laws in the 2022 session, some of which may have a significant effect on housing production in 2023. ...more
As in previous years, the California Legislature passed a large volume of laws related to housing in the 2021 legislative session. (See Holland & Knight's previous annual recaps of California Housing Laws in the final section...more
Los Angeles streamlines ADU permitting with over-the-counter ADU templates - Los Angeles Times – March 5 - A new initiative by Eric Garcetti’s office in collaboration with Building and Safety aims to change the...more
Limited Local Control, Affordable Housing Incentives and More - In what is shaping up to be an annual exercise, COVID-19 notwithstanding, the California Legislature has again enacted new laws to encourage housing...more
Poor grades for California cities on ADUs - East Bay Times – March 3 - California cities are doing a poor job of encouraging homeowners to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) amid the housing crisis, despite several...more
In 2019, the California legislature passed, and Governor Newsom approved, new legislation impacting the development industry. Effective January 1, 2020, the laws summarized in the link below will impact the development...more
On January 1, 2020, several housing-related bills recently signed into law by the Governor take effect. We will explain the upcoming changes in housing law through a series of updates. Our first update provided information...more
As California's housing supply and homelessness crisis continues, the State Legislature has for the past several years passed numerous pieces of housing legislation in each legislative session. This year was no exception,...more