• 0
  • Home
  • About Us
  • What We Do

Shopping Cart

GPAM
  • Home
  • About Us
  • What We Do

Is third time a charm for state’s high-density housing bill?

CA State Sen. Scott Wiener pushes for high-density housing to solve homeless crisis (Credit: Getty Images)
CA State Sen. Scott Wiener pushes for high-density housing to solve homeless crisis (Credit: Getty Images)

Three years ago, state Sen. Scott Wiener crafted a bill to make it easier for developers to build taller, high-density housing to help address California’s deepening housing and homeless crisis. The measure would promote the construction of residential developments near transit and employment hubs, and allow fourplexes in many single-family neighborhoods.

The Senate turned back that version and then another one. This week, the San Francisco Democrat is trying to get support for the latest incarnation of the bill, called SB 50.

Wiener has until Friday to win the Senate’s approval or the measure dies. Even if the bill is approved by the upper chamber, it would still have to pass the Assembly, where its support remains murky.

Support has come mainly from developers, environmental groups and the unionized building trades. This week, Wiener has been tweeting about gaining momentum, with support in recent days coming from the Coalition for Clean Air, the United Way of California and United Farmer Workers.

But opposition is intense — particularly in San Francisco and the Bay Area, as well as in Los Angeles. Previously, single-family homeowners were among its sharpest critics.

One powerful opponent is state Sen. Holly Mitchell of L.A., who chairs the budget committee. She is aligned with a coalition of local and state groups representing low-income communities and neighborhoods wary of gentrification. Mitchell is also running for a spot on the the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.

An estimated 59,000 homeless people are in L.A. County and thousands more families are one missed paycheck away from being out on the street, experts say.

And even after Wiener tweaked SB 50 with a series of amendments, anti-gentrification groups continue to oppose it, based on their fears that poor and working-class renters will be priced out of the new housing.

To address some of those concerns, SB 50’s current version requires developers of housing projects with more than 10 units to contribute funding or space for nearby low-income housing. It also prohibits the demolition of existing rental units where tenants have lived for seven or more years.

San Francisco politicians generally remain opposed to the measure, but Wiener has had a powerful ally in Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins of San Diego, who removed the bill from a committee chaired by one of its opponents, and set in motion the negotiations that must be completed before Friday’s crucial vote.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has not taken a position on SB 50, but his staff has encouraged talks over additional amendments. In October, Newson signed five bills that cut the red tape on converting garages and freestanding backyard homes into accessory dwelling units, to facilitate residential construction.

The post Is third time a charm for state’s high-density housing bill? appeared first on The Real Deal Los Angeles.

Powered by WPeMatico

  • 28 January 2020
  • The Real Deal
  • Uncategorized
  •  Like
Connecticut developer charged with killing wife is rushed to hospital after apparent suicide attempt →← Two of Realogy’s biggest brokerage brands are merging
  • Recent Posts

    • Hoteliers sound the alarm on looming distress  May 24, 2025
    • Growth markets see retail boom even with tariff uncertainty May 24, 2025
    • Westchester resi project gets city OK after union drops objection May 23, 2025
    • WATCH: ‘Father of CMBS’ Ethan Penner to run for governor of California May 23, 2025
    • Fashion Island office fetches $756 psf May 23, 2025
  • Recent Comments

    • Archives

      • May 2025
      • April 2025
      • March 2025
      • February 2025
      • January 2025
      • December 2024
      • November 2024
      • October 2024
      • September 2024
      • August 2024
      • July 2024
      • June 2024
      • May 2024
      • April 2024
      • March 2024
      • February 2024
      • January 2024
      • December 2023
      • February 2023
      • January 2023
      • December 2022
      • November 2022
      • October 2022
      • September 2022
      • August 2022
      • July 2022
      • June 2022
      • May 2022
      • April 2022
      • March 2022
      • February 2022
      • January 2022
      • December 2021
      • November 2021
      • October 2021
      • September 2021
      • August 2021
      • July 2021
      • June 2021
      • May 2021
      • April 2021
      • March 2021
      • February 2021
      • January 2021
      • December 2020
      • November 2020
      • October 2020
      • September 2020
      • August 2020
      • July 2020
      • June 2020
      • May 2020
      • April 2020
      • March 2020
      • February 2020
      • January 2020
      • December 2019
      • November 2019
      • October 2019
      • September 2019
      • August 2019
      • July 2019
      • June 2019
      • May 2019
      • April 2019
      • March 2019
      • February 2019
      • January 2019
      • December 2018
      • November 2018
      • October 2018
      • September 2018
      • August 2018
      • July 2018
      • June 2018
      • May 2018
      • April 2018
      • March 2018
      • February 2018
      • January 2018
      • December 2017
    • Global Property and Asset Mangement, Inc.
      137 North Larchmont
      Los Angeles, California 90010
      +1 213-427-1127

    © 2025 GPAM