Key Housing Bills Clear First Hurdle

Key legislation the Bay Area Council supports to address California’s housing crisis cleared an important first hurdle this week in Sacramento. SB 50 (Wiener) would dramatically streamline approval of housing near transit and job centers while SB 13 (Wieckowski) would ease fees and other regulatory burdens on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), aka granny or in-law units. Both bills won approval in the Senate Housing Committee following testimony the Council, along with many other backers, provided in support. There’s still a long way to go before the bills become law and the Council will be working hard over the next several months to get them over the finish line. Sen. Wieckowski’s bill expands on legislation the Council sponsored in 2016 that has unleashed a statewide torrent of ADU applications. To engage in the Council’s housing policy work, please contact Senior Vice President Matt Regan.