Housing Committee Welcomes Assemblymember David Chiu

The Bay Area Council Housing Committee this week welcomed Assemblymember David Chiu for a recap of this year’s housing legislation. Chiu thanked the Council for supporting legislation to create a regional authority with the power to invest in expanding the supply of badly needed affordable housing options. “I’d like to thank the Bay Area Council for engaging deeply to make sure AB 1487 works for your members,” he told the committee. Chiu also credited the Council’s leadership on winning new legislative reforms that will make it easier, faster and less expensive to build accessory dwelling units. ADUs have been a bright spot in California’s housing picture, with new applications for the affordable, low-impact units surging statewide even as overall housing permits decline. Chiu also shared ideas for next year on housing production, and gathered input from the room for potential legislative ideas. 

The Committee heard from Oakland Housing Policy Director Darin Ranelletti on the city’s 17K plan, which aims to protect 17,000 tenants and produce 17,000 units by 2024. Three years into the 17K plan, Oakland has already protected 12,949 households and built 9,341 market rate units. However, it struggles to keep up with its affordable housing goals, pointing to the challenges in identifying financial subsidies and resources. Overall, the city is making good progress, Ranelletti said, and Oakland will continue to focus on affordable housing and racial equity to preserve Oakland’s diversity and values.

The Committee also engaged in a policy workshop, breaking into groups to drill into a range of issues, including accessory dwelling units, transit-oriented development/rezoning;fees/exactions, creative financing, regional housing needs assessment, and housing cost reduction. The ideas and input will shape the Council’s policy and legislative agenda for 2020. To provide your input and ideas, please contact Senior Vice President Matt Regan.