April 25, 2019

CSAC is committed to addressing the housing affordability crisis and is supportive of several bills that invest more state resources into housing, make it easier for counties to leverage local resources, and protect renters from source of income discrimination.

April 18, 2019

CSAC’s Housing, Land Use and Transportation team is closely analyzing several housing-related bills that impact counties, including one which would streamline agricultural employee housing and three other bills which would increase reporting requirements for local agencies. CSAC is seeking feedback from counties on these proposals. Please send any comments or input on these bills to Marina Espinoza.

April 11, 2019

Governor Newsom and legislative leaders remain committed to addressing California’s housing crisis through a variety of policy interventions, including linkages between state transportation investments and local housing decisions. In recent weeks, the Administration has focused the discussion on providing incentives, holding bad actors accountable, and revamping the Regional Housing Needs Allocation process.

April 4, 2019

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has released the SB 2 Planning Grants Program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for approximately $123 million.

The Planning Grants Program provides one-time, over-the-counter grants to local governments to update a variety of planning documents and processes that streamline housing approvals and accelerate housing production.

March 14, 2019

California legislators have introduced several new bills that impact local governments. CSAC is continuing conversations with Legislators on their proposals and is interested in receiving feedback from counties on the following bills.    

Regional Housing Need for Above Moderate-Income Housing

February 14, 2019

Mark your calendars! County elected officials and staff who are interested in the intersection between land use, transportation, and emerging vehicle technologies may wish to attend two upcoming conferences in California. 

California Transportation Planning Conference

January 11, 2019

In yesterday’s budget release, Governor Newsom proposed an additional $250 million for housing-related planning and revisions regional housing production targets, as well as $500 million in flexible incentive funding for jurisdictions that implement plans that successfully promote housing development.

Oct. 18, 2018

The California Association of Local Housing Financing Agencies is holding a symposium and conference that should be of interest to county policymakers. The conference will be held in Sacramento on October 31 and November 1. Key topics will include the future of redevelopment, “missing middle” workforce housing, new fair housing requirements, innovative construction techniques, and single family housing financing tools.

Sept. 27, 2018

May 31, 2018

Two major bills on the topic of development impact fees were held on suspense in the appropriations committees last week, while two others continue to move forward.

May 10, 2018

As Californians continue to slog through the housing affordability crisis, policymakers are paying increasing attention the state’s primary tool for ensuring that local governments plan for new housing. The Housing Element law requires cities and counties to zone enough land to accommodate expected housing growth at all income levels. But who decides how much growth is needed and where? And once the land is zoned for housing, what happens if it isn’t built?

How much housing do we need?

January 4, 2018

The CSAC Housing, Land Use, and Transportation (HLT) Policy Committee took action today to recommend that the CSAC Executive Committee and Board of Directors oppose a potential initiative to repeal SB 1 and support ACA 5.

The Housing, Land Use and Transportation Policy Committee met on November 29 at CSAC’s Annual Meeting in Sacramento, with Sonoma County Supervisor David Rabbitt presiding as Chair, and Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and Tehama County Supervisor Bob Williams as co-vice Chairs. The materials provided at the meeting and the agenda are available at this link.

October 26, 2017

Governor Brown concluded legislative business by the October 15 deadline, ultimately signing 859 bills into law. CSAC will be publishing a series of updates on new laws from each policy area. This week, the report from the Housing, Land Use and Transportation policy unit provides information on housing bills signed by Governor Brown. Stay tuned for more updates from other policy areas over the next several weeks.

August 10, 2017

August 3, 2017

Legislative leaders and the Governor announced on July 17 their plan to pass a package of bills to address California’s housing crisis when the Legislature returns from its month-long summer recess August 21. According to a statement from Governor Brown, Speaker Rendon and President pro Tem de León, “the package of legislation… will include a general obligation bond, a permanent funding source for affordable housing and regulatory reform.”

July 14, 2017

The “Small Cell” bill continues to work its way through the legislative process, despite heavy opposition from the cities and counties it would impact. SB 649 would allow cellular companies to hang antennas and other wireless equipment from almost any locally-owned street light or traffic signal pole, with limited local government input, and no public input on any individual siting application. It passed out of the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee yesterday afternoon.

June 8, 2017

December 22, 2016

November 17, 2016

CSAC Bulletin readers can get a discount on attending the largest smart growth and sustainability event in the country. The 2017 New Partners Conference in St. Louis early next year features the theme “Practical Tools and Innovative Strategies for Creating Great Communities,” underscoring a stronger emphasis on implementation tools and strategies, and new technologies that will help communities now.

October 27, 2016

As California continues to grapple with an acute affordable housing crisis, all levels of government are looking at ways to rethink affordable housing financing and also the regulatory environment which can either help or hinder housing production.  Affordable housing was one of the main topics during the 2016 legislative session and while some progress was made on issues like density bonus, accessory dwelling units, and unlocking the potential for housing on existing properties with existing uses, larger issues remain unresolved.