Planning and zoning: housing development: high-opportunity areas.
The law aims to promote affordable housing solutions by ensuring that a percentage of units in new residential developments are reserved for low and very low-income households. Developers are required to pay fees for projects that exceed affordable housing cost thresholds, with funds allocated to construct or preserve additional affordable housing. Furthermore, the bill calls for these residential projects to maintain affordable rent or sale prices for a minimum of 55 years, which is expected to have a lasting positive impact on community housing availability.
Assembly Bill 1279, introduced by Assembly Member Bloom, seeks to facilitate housing development in high-opportunity areas across California by streamlining the approval process for residential projects. The bill mandates the Department of Housing and Community Development to designate certain areas as high-opportunity zones, where residential development can be approved more easily without extensive local government intervention. Specifically, the proposed legislation outlines criteria for local governments to allow residential projects as a use by right, which means that these developments would bypass the need for a conditional use permit provided they meet specified requirements including affordability criteria and minimum density standards.
The sentiment surrounding AB 1279 is generally supportive among housing advocates and lawmakers focused on addressing California's housing crisis. Supporters argue that the bill is a necessary step to tackle the state's severe housing shortage, particularly in areas where local regulations may otherwise impede development. However, critics, including some local government officials, express concerns that the bill undermines local control and could lead to overdevelopment in areas that may not have the capacity or infrastructure to support increased housing density.
One of the notable points of contention regarding the bill is its potential to prioritize state interests in housing over local concerns. Opponents are worried that by streamlining the approval process, the bill may bypass community input and result in developments that are not in alignment with the needs or desires of local residents. Additionally, there are fears related to the potential displacement of lower-income households from the newly developed high-opportunity areas, which could counteract the bill's intended benefits.