BISNOW: SB 50 Author Proposes Bill Allowing Churches By-Right Development

SENATOR WIENER INTRODUCES HOUSING LEGISLATION TO ALLOW CHURCHES AND OTHER CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THEIR PROPERTY

March 9, 2020

Advancing Housing Justice in the time of COVID-19: Resources for our work

March 16, 2020

“A new bill introduced by state Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat who represents the 11th District, on Friday would give faith institutions and nonprofit hospitals the right to build 100% affordable housing projects on their property.

“The proposed bill, SB 899, opens up such projects to by-right development, meaning churches and other qualifying charitable institutions could go through with affordable housing projects and avoid rezoning and discretionary approval processes that often prove to be their undoing.

““California desperately needs housing of all kinds, including affordable housing for our low-income residents,” Wiener said in a statement.

“Both the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California and the Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing co-sponsored SB 899.”