Gov. Newsom Signs New Housing Bills Expanding Zoning Density
Following the defeat of the recall effort against him, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a pair of controversial housing bills.
SB 9 and SB 10 were written with the intent of addressing California's affordable housing crisis.
Among other things, they allow property owners to build duplexes on single family lots, and divide parcels into as many as four units. SB 10, specifically, paves the way for more small apartment complexes to be built in neighborhoods zoned for single-family homes, with access to public transportation.
But as KQED's Marisa Lagos explains, opponents of those bills are already gearing up for a fight.
"We're already hearing that there might be legal and potentially ballot challenges to this, that there might be some ballot measures in 2022, kind of seeking to push back on these. Which are, I think, an incremental step towards more housing, but certainly not going to solve the housing crisis overnight," said Lagos.
Critics argue that most new construction allowed under these bills wouldn't necessarily be affordable housing — though proponents say that even building more market-rate housing could, potentially, bring down prices.
-
The severe lack of family friendly housing has millennial parents asking: Is leaving Southern California our only option?
-
The city passed a law against harassing renters in 2021. But tenant advocates say enforcement has been lacking.
-
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program will provide up to three months of support to families with unpaid rent or at risk of becoming unhoused.
-
Now that L.A. officials know who landlords are trying to evict, city workers are showing up at renters’ doorsteps to offer help.
-
Allowable rent hikes depend on where you live, and in what type of building. Here’s your guide to figuring it all out.
-
The council approved a hotly debated proposal to lower allowable rent hikes in most of the city’s apartments from a maximum of 9% to 6% in February.