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<\/a><\/p>\nGovernor Gavin Newsom signed a new bipartisan legislative package to strengthen California\u2019s laws addressing the housing and homelessness crisis. The laws represent a comprehensive effort to streamline housing production, and hold localities accountable to state housing law.<\/p>\n
Governor Newsom also announced the release of new program guidance for up to $2.2 billion in funding through Proposition 1 to build permanent supportive housing for veterans and other individuals with mental health and\/or substance use disorder challenges who are at risk for or experiencing homelessness. The program, known as Homekey+, will extend the successful Homekey model by emphasizing the acquisition and rehabilitation of existing buildings or other project types that can be quickly converted or constructed into permanent affordable housing. The program will launch in November and applications will open in January. Funding will be continuously distributed beginning in May 2025.<\/p>\n
Detailed information can be found HERE and a fact sheet can be found HERE.<\/p>\n
“No more excuses. California is taking action to fix the decades-long homelessness, housing, and mental health crises. These new laws \u2014 paired with the state’s unprecedented resources \u2014 will deliver more housing, get people off the streets, and provide life-changing support that will benefit all Californians.”<\/p>\n
Governor Gavin Newsom<\/p>\n
The legislation will add to California\u2019s ongoing efforts to address the decades-long housing and homelessness crisis and create foundational changes that will build strong communities now and in the future.<\/p>\n
What these new laws do:<\/p>\n
✅ Mandate that locals plan for housing for extremely vulnerable residents, including people experiencing homelessness and other acutely and extremely low-income individuals.<\/p>\n
✅ Increase accountability for local governments by creating stricter timelines and more robust requirements for local governments to report on housing progress and provide clear notice to the public.<\/p>\n
✅ Strengthen enforcement and penalties by imposing monetary penalties on cities and counties that fail to adopt housing element revisions or approve housing developments, and ensuring effective consequences for those who fail to comply with state housing law.<\/p>\n
✅ Streamline housing production by reducing regulatory barriers, promoting housing near transit, and providing incentives for senior housing, student housing, and accessory dwelling units.<\/p>\n
What the Prop 1 funding for the new Homekey+ does:
\n✅ Creates more than 4,000 new permanent housing units, paired with services, for people with mental health and housing challenges.<\/p>\n
✅ Dedicates housing for veterans with half of the units reserved for veterans with behavioral health needs.<\/p>\n
✅ Builds new housing faster by leveraging the proven Homekey conversion model.<\/p>\n
Why this matters
\nCalifornia continues to address a decades-long homelessness and housing affordability crisis. According to the most recent verified data, in 2023 roughly 181,000 Californians experienced homelessness, with approximately 90,000 people in unsheltered conditions. Although there are many reasons why someone may lose access to housing, the lack of available affordable homes in California is a key driver. Most people who enter homelessness are rent-burdened and cite economic hardship such as increased rent or housing costs. Adding to the inventory of available housing is an essential part of the state\u2019s strategy to address this challenge.<\/p>\n
Lack of affordable housing, quality mental health and addiction services, and homelessness are all part of the same problem \u2014 and much of the responsibility to address these problems directly falls on local jurisdictions. New accountability and more enforcement are needed to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent effectively.<\/p>\n
Laying a strong foundation to create housing for all
\nSince taking office, in partnership with the Legislature, Governor Newsom has invested over $40 billion to boost affordable housing and more than $27 billion to address homelessness and elevated the urgency of solving the housing and homelessness crisis. Governor Newsom has advanced significant laws and made structural policy changes that will create lasting and long-term positive impacts to provide Californians with housing access.<\/p>\n
These policy changes require cooperation from local jurisdictions to create enough housing units for every California resident. The Governor has enacted dozens of CEQA reforms into law and championed the creation of the Housing Accountability Unit at the California Department of Housing and Community Development to ensure cities and counties fulfill their legal responsibilities to plan and permit their fair share of housing. The unit has \u201cunlocked\u201d more than 7,500 housing units for California families by working with local jurisdictions or by taking actions to enforce. This focus on accountability has, in part, led to a 15-year high in housing starts in California.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s announcement also follows Governor Newsom\u2019s recent executive order that, among other things, urges local governments to use the unprecedented state funding to address unsanitary and dangerous encampments within their communities and provide people experiencing homelessness in the encampments with the care and supportive services they need.<\/p>\n
California\u2019s mental health transformation
\nCalifornia is modernizing the behavioral health delivery system to improve accountability, increase transparency, and expand the capacity of behavioral health care facilities for Californians. Proposition 1, which was passed by voters in May 2024, includes two parts: a $6.4 billion Behavioral Health Bond for treatment settings and housing with services, and historic reform of the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) to focus on people with the most serious illnesses, substance disorders, and housing needs. More information about California\u2019s transformation of our entire mental health and substance use disorder system can be found at mentalhealth.ca.gov.<\/p>\n
Governor Newsom signed the full list of housing bills below:<\/p>\n
Preventing and Ending Homelessness
\nAB 3093 by Assemblymember Chris Ward \u2014 Land use: housing element<\/p>\n
AB 799 by Assemblymember Luz Rivas \u2014 Interagency Council on Homelessness: funding: state programs<\/p>\n
SB 7 by Senator Catherine Blakespear \u2014 Regional housing need: determination<\/p>\n
SB 1395 by Senator Josh Becker \u2014 Shelter crisis: Low Barrier Navigation Center: use by right: building standards<\/p>\n
Accountability
\nAB 1886 by Assemblymember David Alvarez \u2014 Housing Element Law: substantial compliance: Housing Accountability Act<\/p>\n
AB 1893 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks \u2014 Housing Accountability Act: housing disapprovals: required local findings<\/p>\n
AB 2023 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva \u2014 Housing Element: Inventory of Land: Substantial Compliance: Rebuttable Presumptions<\/p>\n
SB 1037 by Senator Scott Wiener \u2014 Planning and zoning: housing element: enforcement<\/p>\n
AB 1413 by Assemblymember Phil Ting \u2014 Housing Accountability Act: disapprovals: California Environmental Quality Act<\/p>\n
AB 2667 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago \u2014 Affirmatively furthering fair housing: housing element: reporting<\/p>\n
SB 393 by Senator Steven M. Glazer \u2014 Civil actions: housing development projects<\/p>\n
SB 450 by Senator Toni Atkins \u2014 Housing development: approvals<\/p>\n
Housing Streamlining and Production
\nAB 2243 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks \u2014 Housing development projects: objective standards: affordability and site criteria<\/p>\n
AB 2488 by Assemblymember Phil Ting \u2014 Downtown revitalization and economic recovery financing districts: City and County of San Francisco<\/p>\n
AB 2199 by Assemblymember Marc Berman \u2014 California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: residential or mixed-use housing projects<\/p>\n
AB 2694 by Assemblymember Christopher M. Ward \u2014 Density Bonus Law: residential care facilities for the elderly<\/p>\n
SB 312 by Senator Scott Wiener \u2014 California Environmental Quality Act: university housing development projects: exemption<\/p>\n
SB 1123 by Senator Anna Caballero \u2014 Planning and zoning: subdivisions: ministerial review<\/p>\n
SB 1211 by Senator Nancy Skinner \u2014 Land use: accessory dwelling units: ministerial approval<\/p>\n
Transparency and Efficiency
\nAB 1053 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel \u2014 Housing programs: multifamily housing programs: expenditure of loan proceeds<\/p>\n
AB 2117 by Assemblymember Joe Patterson \u2014 Development permit expirations: actions or proceedings.<\/p>\n
AB 2430 by Assemblymember David Alvarez \u2014 Planning and zoning: density bonuses: monitoring fees<\/p>\n
AB 2553 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman \u2014 Housing development: major transit stops: vehicular traffic impact fees<\/p>\n
AB 2663 by Assemblymember Timothy S. Grayson \u2014 Inclusionary housing: fees: reports<\/p>\n
AB 2926 by Assemblymember Ash Kalra \u2014 Planning and zoning: assisted housing developments: Notice of expiration of affordability restrictions<\/p>\n
SB 937 by Senator Scott Wiener \u2014 Development projects: fees and charges<\/p>\n
Housing Protections
\nAB 2801 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman \u2014 Tenancy: security deposits<\/p>\n
AB 2747 by Assemblymember Matt Haney \u2014 Tenancy: credit reporting<\/p>\n
SB 611 By Senator Caroline Menjivar \u2014 Residential rental properties: fees and security<\/p>\n
SB 900 by Senator Tom Umberg \u2014 Common interest developments: repair and maintenance<\/p>\n
Tribal Housing
\nAB 1878 by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia \u2014 Housing programs: tribal housing program<\/p>\n
SB 1187 by Senator pro tem Mike McGuire \u2014 Housing programs: Tribal Housing Reconstitution and Resiliency Act<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sacramento, CA…Governor Newsom signed into law a comprehensive bipartisan housing package to build on California\u2019s long-term strategy to help address homelessness and housing scarcity. The Governor also announced the release of guidance on up to $2.2 billion in funding for HomeKey+ permanent supportive housing \u2014 with half reserved for veterans \u2014 to be made available […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":183531,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,5,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-183530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-government","category-news","last_archivepost"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/unnamed-17-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183530","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=183530"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183530\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":183532,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183530\/revisions\/183532"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/183531"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=183530"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=183530"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=183530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}