Assembly Bill 2923, joint-authored by Assemblymember David Chiu, will expedite the production of vital housing projects near mass transit in the Bay Area.
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Assemblymembers Tim Grayson (D-Concord) and David Chiu (D-San Francisco) to promote construction of housing, including affordable units, near transportation hubs passed today in the Assembly Local Government Committee.
“Just last weekend I once again held community events where the most pressing issue that I heard over and over again was the lack of affordable housing. Despite this crisis, we have hundreds of acres of prime real estate within walking distance of BART that is underutilized and ripe for affordable transit oriented development. AB 2923 is a common sense measure to speed up construction in communities throughout the Bay Area and I am confident that this measure will increase housing supply, reduce traffic congestion, and cut greenhouse gas emissions,” said Assemblymember Grayson.
Specifically, AB 2923 addresses the affordable housing shortage in these communities by requiring transit-oriented development projects designate at least 20 percent of their housing units for low- and moderate-income households.
“In my district, some affordable housing projects have been delayed for over 20 years. In fact, the largest city in Contra Costa County has built approximately 109 housing units over the past five years, falling gravely short of the need for adequate housing supply. There have been many wasted hours of BART and local government staff trying to advance a supported project with green benefits for the community, only to be undercut, often by a small group of opponents. By ensuring that responsible housing policies and densities are worked out with local governments, our bill provides basic certainty where it is needed most.”
AB 2923 is supported by a broad coalition of affordable housing, labor, business, and environmental organizations. The bill proceeds to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee for further consideration.