The bill mandates that as of the seventh housing element cycle, upon request from small rural jurisdictions (defined as cities with populations under 25,000 or counties with populations under 200,000), HCD must evaluate their housing element submissions without imposing renewal requirements for at least four years. This provision is designed to alleviate administrative burdens on smaller jurisdictions and promote consistent compliance with statewide housing goals.
Summary
Assembly Bill No. 36, introduced by Assembly Member Soria, aims to amend Section 65589.9 of the Government Code regarding housing elements and prohousing designations. This bill seeks to transition the process of designating jurisdictions as prohousing from emergency regulations to permanent regulations established by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). This shift is intended to create a more stable and lasting framework for jurisdictions to qualify for such a designation based on their housing elements, particularly focusing on compliance with state regulations.
Sentiment
The general sentiment surrounding AB 36 appears to be supportive among legislators and stakeholders advocating for housing accessibility and compliance. Supporters argue that this bill aligns with broader efforts to address housing shortages and encourages local governments to adopt prohousing strategies. There may be concerns, however, regarding the adequacy of resources and support needed for smaller jurisdictions to meet the compliance criteria effectively.
Contention
A notable point of contention may involve the bill's framework for prompting local jurisdictions to implement prohousing local policies. Critics might voice concerns over the influencer's potential rigidity in assessing compliance and the associated risks of favoring urban and suburban areas over rural towns in housing policy discussions. The bill's requirement for jurisdictions to maintain compliant housing elements could also spark debate about the feasibility of local governments meeting state expectations.