Assemblymember David Alvarez’s Streamlining of 100% Affordable Housing Bill Passes Committee.

(Sacramento, CA) – Yesterday, the Assembly Natural Resources Committee voted to approve, a CEQA exception for housing projects that build 100% affordable units. Assembly Bill 1449 will help facilitate affordable housing by exempting from CEQA certain 100% affordable housing projects throughout California.

“AB 1449 removes layers of red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy to help move affordable housing forward,” said Assemblymember Alvarez. “If we grant CEQA exemptions for billionaires to build stadiums, we should offer the same exemption for communities that desperately need affordable housing. Despite its good intentions, CEQA has significantly contributed to curtailing California’s ability to build more housing."

The bill balances the need of California’s two most pressing issues in housing and homelessness with the environmental and labor concerns to ensure more affordable homes are built quickly for those most in need. Projects would still be required to receive local approvals.

California Housing Consortium, the California Housing Partnership, and Housing California sponsored and supported the bill.

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The 80th Assembly District includes the communities of Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, Lincoln Acres, Bonita, Otay Mesa and San Ysidro, along with the cities of Chula Vista, National City and Imperial Beach.