Realtors are saying the state's housing availability and affordability crisis is dire and it's time to get serious on supply. In line with this goal, the California Association of Realtors has launched the "Let's Get Serious on Supply" public campaign to let legislators know they want real housing solutions. This includes supporting legislation that increases density near transit-oriented job centers and holding local governments accountable for their housing requirements.
"'Let's Get Serious on Supply' calls on our state's leaders to support policies that increase the housing supply and asks the very serious question: 'Where will our children live?' The situation is dire and getting worse," said C.A.R. Jared Martin in a statement.
According to a recent survey, 53 percent of Californians said they were considering moving to another state due to high housing costs. Even worse, a higher share of young people is at risk of leaving California.
At the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors last week, C.A.R. field representative Sean Bellach said, "Governor Newsom pledged to build 3.5 million new units by 2025. Demand is about 180,000 new units per year, but the state has only added around half that amount each year for the last 10 years. So, we're embarking on a public affairs campaign designed to increase legislative, member and public awareness about the need to build more housing."
Bellach said there are multiple bills that will put California on the right track to solving the housing crisis by increasing the housing supply by making it easier to build. C.A.R. is supporting Senate Bill 330 (Skinner), the Housing Crisis Act of 2019, because this bill will create more certainty for developers by streamlining the application and permitting process to building new housing. Under SB 330, local governments will be permitted no more than five public hearings to approve a proposed housing development, if the project complies with local planning, zoning, and design standards. SB 330 is scheduled to be heard in the Assembly Local Government Committee this week.
C.A.R. is a co-sponsor of SB 50 (Wiener), Housing Development Incentives, which encourages the development of mid-rise and multifamily housing construction around major transit hubs. SB 50 seeks to authorize the implementation of transit/job-rich housing project "height" bonus for new urban developments that are consistent with the local design requirements and local planning or zoning. Specifically, SB 50 would encourage the development of mid-rise, multi-family unit, housing construction with close, walkable access to bus, rail and ferry transit in counties with populations over 600,000 or in cities with more than 50,000 residents. The bill exempts cities located within the coastal zone with less than 50,000 residents, as well as parcels located in either a historical district established prior to 2010, high fire severity zone or flood plain from accessing the density "height" bonus.
SB 50 was stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee and will not be moving forward this year. Bellach said C.A.R. remains committed to passing this bill in 2020.
A bill that addresses housing availability which C.A.R. supports is SB 592 (Wiener), the Housing Accountability Act, which makes it easier for property owners to build additional units on their existing properties. SB 592 will protect a property owner's ability to build a second unit. These units are often a way for families in some of our most cost-burdened communities to maintain independence while also providing housing for future generations.
"Realtors are at the table for every major housing discussion in Sacramento, but increasing supply is the only long-term solution," said Bellach.
To learn more about the "Let's Get Serious on Supply" campaign and sign the petition, visit http://housingforcalifornia.com/#crisis.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
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