California's Bold Move: New Laws to Tackle Housing Crisis

California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken a significant step forward in a state grappling with a severe housing crisis. On Tuesday, he signed two bills into law that promise to expand available housing options across the Golden State. These new laws, while relatively small in scope, represent the latest efforts in a series of state initiatives to tackle California's persistent homelessness crisis.

AB 2835: A New Lease on Life for Hotel-Based Shelters

The first bill, AB 2835, focuses on extending and improving programs that utilize motels and hotels as temporary shelters for those experiencing homelessness. This approach has gained traction recently, with initiatives like Los Angeles' "Inside Safe" program and the state's "Project Roomkey" demonstrating success in providing immediate housing solutions.

AB 2835 highlights the following information:

• Extending exceptions to landlord-tenant rules for publicly funded shelter programs beyond the previous January 1, 2025 expiration date.
• Encouraging more motels and hotels to participate by offering certain protections.
• Allowing for immediate termination of program enrollment in cases of physical violence towards hotel guests or staff.
• Exempting shelter programs from providing a 30-day notice to participants exiting the program.

These changes aim to strike a balance between providing much-needed shelter and addressing the concerns of property owners, potentially leading to an increase in available temporary housing options.

AB 3057: Streamlining the Path to More Affordable Housing

The second bill, AB 3057, targets the growing trend of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by extending permitting exemptions to junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs). This move is designed to accelerate the creation of more affordable living spaces throughout California.

Highlights of AB 3057 include:

• Granting JADUs the same permitting exceptions currently given to ADUs.
• Exempting JADUs from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process.
• Facilitating faster and easier construction of these compact living spaces.

JADUs, typically no larger than 500 square feet, are often created within existing single-family homes. By streamlining the permitting process, this law encourages homeowners to make these additional living spaces, potentially easing the housing crunch in many California communities.

Bottom Line

California's housing crisis requires innovative solutions, and these new laws represent a step in the right direction. By making it easier to create temporary shelters and streamline the construction of compact living spaces, the state is opening up new avenues for affordable housing.

Let's connect if you're considering a move within Orange County or looking to navigate the changing real estate landscape. Together, we can explore how these new laws might impact your housing options and help you make informed decisions in this dynamic market.

Reference: “Gov. Newsom signs 2 bills into law expanding housing amid California's homelessness crisis” by Marissa Wenzke. Published on August 27, 2024.