Planning and zoning: housing element: converted affordable housing units.
The bill significantly impacts state laws relating to planning and zoning regulations. It authorizes local governments to adjust their reported regional housing needs based on the number of existing multifamily units that have undergone conversion to affordable units. This adjustment can be represented as up to 25% of a jurisdiction's moderate-income regional housing need allocation, provided specific conditions are met. Such conditions include ensuring that prior rents were not affordable for very low, low, or moderate-income households, and that converted units adhere to long-term affordability agreements.
Assembly Bill No. 787, also known as AB787, aims to modify existing housing laws in California by allowing local planning agencies to include converted affordable housing units in their annual reports. The legislation applies specifically to units that have been transformed into deed-restricted rental housing targeted at moderate-income households. By implementing affordability covenants, cities and counties can report these converted units as part of their regional housing needs allocation, facilitating a more efficient process in meeting housing demands.
Overall, the sentiment surrounding AB787 appears to be supportive among housing advocates and local government officials, as it provides a mechanism to address housing shortages through regulated conversions. Proponents believe that this bill fosters the creation of affordable housing without the need for new construction. However, there may be concerns regarding the effectiveness of regulations and the monitoring of compliance with affordability standards for the converted units, which could be points of contention in ongoing discussions.
Some notable points of contention regarding AB787 include the potential challenges in successfully monitoring and enforcing the affordability covenants on converted units. Critics may argue that reliance on conversions rather than new construction could undermine long-term housing goals, potentially leading to inadequate availability of truly affordable housing options. Additionally, discussions may arise over the impact of such legislative measures on local zoning practices and housing policies, particularly concerning rules that govern the development and operation of housing in various jurisdictions.