Housing element: inventory of land: substantial compliance: rebuttable presumptions.
The amendments proposed by this bill are expected to have significant implications for state laws governing housing development. By enforcing stricter timelines for rezoning actions, AB 2023 seeks to accelerate the creation of housing units and ensure that local governments meet their housing obligations more effectively. The introduction of rebuttable presumptions concerning compliance will also add a layer of accountability, encouraging local bodies to adhere to housing guidelines more rigorously. Failure to comply, as defined in the bill, could lead to legal challenges against local agencies, thus emphasizing the importance of maintaining substantial compliance with housing element laws.
Assembly Bill 2023, introduced by Quirk-Silva, aims to amend several sections of the Government Code pertaining to housing elements. The bill intends to streamline the process for local governments in California to comply with housing element requirements by specifying timelines and actions that must be taken when a housing element is adopted. It particularly emphasizes the requirement for local governments to complete the rezoning of suitable and available sites for residential development within defined timeframes, thereby potentially alleviating housing shortages in the state. This aligns with ongoing efforts to address California's housing crisis by ensuring that local governments take timely actions to meet housing needs for all income levels.
The sentiment surrounding AB 2023 appears to be largely positive among proponents who view it as a necessary step towards resolving housing shortages in California. Supporters argue that by imposing clear requirements and deadlines, the bill encourages local governments to take their housing responsibilities seriously. However, there may be opposition from local agencies that could perceive the bill as an unfunded mandate, potentially leading to tensions between state-level housing goals and local control over land use. Thus, while many legislators support the push for increased housing availability, concerns about local governance and funding limitations persist.
Notable points of contention include concerns about the potential impacts on local autonomy, as the bill grants the state a more central role in housing decisions traditionally managed at the local level. The balance between state directives and local governance is a delicate issue, with some local governments fearing that state-imposed deadlines might compromise their ability to address community-specific needs properly. Additionally, the requirement for detailed submissions to the Department of Housing and Community Development could introduce bureaucratic complexities that some see as burdensome.