Only permitting new multifamily developments on single-family lots is the most recent move by Sacramento lawmakers meant to address the housing shortage, but it’s expected to make little impact. It’s not the first time Sacramento officials have attempted to help the housing crisis by rezoning housing density, but past attempts remain unsuccessful, says the Los Angeles Times. The legislation, SB 9, would allow up to four new housing units on a single-family lot in certain neighborhoods. Supporters say this is a good way to add affordable homeownership opportunities in traditionally high to middle-income areas but naysayers think it’s financially inaccessible for most homeowners.
SB 9 was further narrowed on Monday when it was amended to include a requirement that property owners who want to subdivide their property and build new units be residents on that property for at least three years, a change requested by the California Assn. of Realtors as a way, it said, to limit developers and gentrification in lower-income communities of color.
It was also changed to allow local governments to block projects that community officials believe would adversely affect public health and safety, including homes subject to high fire risk.
The bill exempts homes in rural areas, historic districts and properties where a tenant has lived for at least three years. Cities can still impose certain design standards, and the bill does not outlaw single-family homes or mandate any new development.
After making it way out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thursday, it will face a vote on the Assembly floor in the coming weeks and then head back to the Senate for a final vote.
SB 9 rose from the ashes of a more sweeping, high-profile proposal that sought to allow fourplexes in single-family neighborhoods and mid-rise apartments near public transit — a clash that pitted suburban homeowners and tenants rights groups against housing advocates who see density as key to alleviating the state’s affordability crisis.
Advertisement
Related Stories
Housing Markets
10 Metros Where Luxury Home Prices Have Risen the Least
You can still find a bargain—relative to other markets—on high-end homes in these locales, which have seen less luxury price growth
Housing Markets
These Housing Markets Are Seeing Higher Than Average Price Increases
The majority of metros where housing costs increased fastest are in the Northeast
Housing Markets
10 Housing Markets With the Highest Rate of Investor Homeownership
Cities with the highest share of investor homeownership are also the places seeing a slowdown in the market due to high costs