Affordable housing: alternative forms of development: model plan.
The implementation of this bill could significantly influence state and local housing policies by solidifying the use of a model plan in all state subsidized housing loan and grant programs. By adopting alternative methods such as modular housing and adaptive reuse of buildings, the bill aims to substantially reduce the costs of constructing affordable housing units. This approach is expected to streamline state resources and guide local agencies in the development of housing on surplus state real property, thereby facilitating faster and more cost-effective housing solutions.
Assembly Bill 2950, introduced by Assembly Member Weber, aims to address California's affordable housing crisis by mandating the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to develop a model plan for alternative forms of affordable housing development. The bill recognizes the state's significant need for housing, projecting 1.8 million units are required by 2025, with a focus on units available for extremely low and very low-income individuals. It highlights the critical shortfall in current housing construction rates, where only 80,000 units are being produced annually compared to the target of 180,000.
Despite its potential benefits, AB 2950 may face contention primarily surrounding the balance of state and local authority in housing development. Critics may argue that while addressing the housing crisis is essential, centralizing control over housing developments could limit local agencies' flexibility to respond to their unique community needs. Furthermore, opposition might also arise concerning the effectiveness of alternative construction methods, with stakeholders debating the practical implications of implementing such models in various local contexts.