Council Cheers Passage of Major Housing (CEQA) Reform Legislation

Following a Herculean advocacy effort, the Bay Area Council yesterday (Sept. 14) cheered the passage of legislation (AB 1633, Ting) that many in the housing world consider one of the most substantive and influential housing reform bills in many years. The legislation will curtail the abusive and arbitrary practice by local jurisdictions of using the California Environment Quality Act (CEQA) to block and delay new infill housing developments, even when they fully comply with all local and state regulations. The Council co-sponsored the legislation with California YIMBY, SPUR and the California Housing Partnership, and we are urging Gov. Newsom to sign it.

Our deepest thanks to Assembly member Phil Ting for his leadership in authoring and championing this transformational legislation. Thanks also to Council Vice President Louis Mirante for his tireless work in helping secure the votes needed to pass AB 1633. The win was one of many the Council enjoyed this year in the Legislature with one of our most ambitious legislative agendas in decades. We’ll have a full round-up next week of the Council’s legislative successes. To engage in the Council’s housing policy work, please contact Vice President Louis Mirante.