June 10, 2022

Senator Wiener Reintroduces Housing Legislation to Allow Religious Institutions and Nonprofits Colleges to Build Affordable Housing on Their Land

Sacramento – Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced SB 1336 to allow faith institutions (such as churches, synagogues, and mosques) along with nonprofit colleges to build affordable housing on their property by right, even if local zoning prevents this housing. The legislation only applies to 100% affordable housing for low income residents. This legislation was introduced as SB 899 in 2020, passed the Senate 39-0 and the Assembly Housing Committee unanimously. Many faith and charitable institutions have excess property –…
June 13, 2022

Yes in God’s back yard: Bay Area lawmaker revives plan for affordable housing at churches

SAN FRANCISCO – Amid the state’s ongoing housing woes, a Bay Area lawmaker has reintroduced a proposal that would make it easier for houses of worship to build affordable housing on their lots. This week, State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced Senate Bill 1336, which would allow religious institutions, such as churches, synagogues and mosques, to build affordable housing by-right, even if prohibited by local zoning. Development would also be allowed at nonprofit colleges. “Faith-based organizations have long served…
June 14, 2022

Commercial Observer: Calif. Lawmaker Wants to Fast-Track Housing for Religious Institutions

California state Sen. Scott Wiener, who frequently authors housing reform bills, has introduced a plan to streamline the approval process for affordable housing projects on property owned by faith-based institutions like churches, synagogues and mosques, as well as nonprofit colleges. Senate Bill 1336 would allow these institutions to build 100 percent affordable projects on their property for low-income residents “by right,” even if local zoning prevents such development. “Our churches, mosques and synagogues want to do everything they can to help our…
June 29, 2022

Final State Budget Makes Progress but Fails to Meet Scale of Housing Needs, Emphasizing Need for Renewed Advocacy Ahead

Late last week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the 2022-23 state budget agreement has been finalized. This budget includes key investments for affordable housing and homelessness solutions that can make some progress toward addressing the needs of our communities; however, the budget overall falls short, failing to meet the scale needed to meaningfully address our state’s affordable housing shortage. We will have to ramp up a renewed budget advocacy campaign to improve on the investments from this year for the…