Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 79, which cuts red tape, holds local governments accountable, and expands access to affordable housing near public transportation stops, in order to reduce costs, strengthen transit systems, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The California State Senate passed the Abundant & Affordable Homes Near Transit Act, which will allow more homes to be built near major public transportation stops and on land owned by transit agencies, in an effort to address the state’s affordability crisis.
California’s Senate Bill 79, which would allow for more apartment buildings near public transit stops, is one step closer to becoming law after the author struck a deal with the State Building and Construction Trades Council, who agreed to drop their opposition in exchange for an amendment that would require some projects to hire union workers.
California YIMBY and labor unions have agreed to amendments to SB 79 that require strong labor standards for new homes built under the bill, securing support from UNITE HERE and a neutral position from the State Building and Construction Trades Union.
SB 79, a bill aimed at allowing multifamily housing near public transit stops, was passed by the Assembly Local Government Committee and now awaits consideration by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
SB 79, the Abundant & Affordable Homes Near Transit Act, has been passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee and is now moving to the Senate floor, aiming to increase housing supply, lower family housing costs, reduce reliance on cars, and support the state’s climate goals.
Senator Scott Wiener has authored two key bills, SB 79 and SB 607, which aim to modernize California’s permitting and environmental review procedures to address its housing shortage and environmental protection challenges.