This week in affordable housing news…:

State update:

• The legal battle between the state and City of Huntington Beach escalated again this week, when Attorney General Rob Bonta and HCD put the city on notice once again for violating multiple housing laws—in this case local proposals to ignore applications under SB 9, SB 10, and new laws governing ADUs. The AG and HCD sent letters to Huntington Beach earlier this month as the city was considering a separate ordinance exempting sites from the Builder’s Remedy. Huntington Beach responded by saying it was preparing a lawsuit of its own against the state. “We need partners in building a more affordable California, not more political grandstanding,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “I urge Huntington Beach to reconsider its latest proposal. Our state is facing an existential housing crisis. It is past time to work together to put the people of our state first.”

• A coalition of unions including SEIU-California and the California State Employees Association announced their support this week for SB 4 (Wiener), a CHC-supported bill that would allow religious institutions and nonprofit colleges to build 100% affordable housing projects on their property by-right. The two unions—which collectively represent nearly one million members—join the California Conference of Carpenters in support of the so-called “YIGBY” (Yes in God’s Backyard) legislation, which includes new “high road” labor standards from AB 2011 (Wicks) that were signed into law last year by Governor Newsom. Sen. Wiener introduced a similar YIGBY bill in 2020, only to see the legislation stall due to political gridlock.

Top news stories:

‘It’s insane’: Only-in-S.F. tactic to kill or slow housing might be on the chopping block
San Francisco Chronicle
To Assemblymember Matt Haney, San Francisco’s insistence on giving anybody the right to make a fuss at any stage of the housing construction process is like that old-fashioned wedding tradition in which the minister asks guests if there are any objections. The custom rarely stopped a marriage. But San Francisco’s antiquated allowance for people to appeal housing permits even after a project is entitled—a bizarre rule that exists nowhere else in California—does in fact delay construction. “Your crazy uncle doesn’t get to actually stop the wedding, but in this case they do,” says Haney. “Or at least you’re going to have to have a separate hearing where your uncle gets to present his case, and all the money you’ve spent on this fancy wedding goes to waste, and you have to invite everybody back six months later.”

Sacramento and Placer are ‘prohousing,’ according to the state, but what does that designation actually mean?
Capitol Public Radio
Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration has designated Sacramento and Placer as “Prohousing” counties, reflecting their efforts to speed up housing production in a region with a dire shortage of affordable homes.  Both counties have streamlined their housing development processes, making it easier, faster and cheaper to build more apartments, duplexes and homes for all income levels, according to state and local officials.

Mandatory evictions for arrested tenants would be banned under new state bill
Los Angeles Times
California tenants and their families would no longer face mandatory eviction or exclusion based on their criminal histories or brushes with law enforcement under new legislation introduced Friday. Assembly Bill 1418 takes aim at local policies known as “crime-free housing,” which can force landlords to evict tenants accused of breaking the law or refuse to rent to those with prior criminal convictions. The rules make it harder for renters, especially Black and Latino tenants, to find and remain in affordable housing, said Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), the bill’s author.