Courtesy of Assemblyman Robert Rivas:
Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) announced the passage of two important housing bills, which he authored, out of their respective Assembly committees.
Both bills offer creative and needed solutions for addressing California’s housing shortage, enabling the production of new development and thereby affording new home ownership and affordable housing opportunity that is desperately needed in light of the current pandemic.
AB 3153, the Housing Bike & Car-Share Bill, would encourage housing production by allowing developers to meet parking minimum requirements by installing bike and car-share parking. The bill passed out of the Assembly Committee on Local Government, with bipartisan, unanimous support. The vote was 6-0.
Rivas said: “This vote affirms the need for both more housing production and also the need for more bike and care-share parking in our State. By allowing developers to substitute a limited number of required vehicle parking spaces for bicycle and car-share spaces, it frees up valuable land and dollars to build additional, less-costly units. At a time when the housing crisis is so acute for the most vulnerable members of our community, more affordable units are fundamental to the economic recovery from COVID-19.”
“One-third of low-income Californians do not own a car, creating underused vehicle spaces,” continued Rivas. “Additionally, creating incentives for more bike and care-share parking close to transit hubs will help further the goals of a healthier California. Finally, AB 3153 will help limit our carbon emissions and encourage active modes of transportation.”
AB 3155, the Moderate Income Bill, would enable construction of more naturally-affordable homes in urban areas, creating housing where it’s most needed and also helping create jobs for California’s construction workers. Specifically, the bill would extend SB 35’s streamlining process for small infill developments with 10 units or less, under certain conditions. The Assembly Housing Committee voted in favor of AB 3155, with a vote of 5 to 0.
Rivas explained, “Our office and the bill’s sponsors worked hard with various stakeholders and the Assembly Housing Committee to reach a consensus on this bill. The provisions of AB 3155 are vital to help address the state’s post-pandemic housing needs through unsubsidized, naturally-affordable, small infill projects in urban areas.”
According to Rivas: “Public resources for affordable housing projects are limited—now more than ever— and simply won’t be allocated to these types of small developments of 10 units or less. AB 3155 creates a limited expansion of SB 35’s streamlining process and will thereby encourage more small development projects in our cities – providing much needed jobs and naturally-affordable housing.”
Both AB 3153 and AB 3155 now proceed to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Concluded Rivas, “I remain committed to the residents of District 30 and California in continuing to do all I can to create opportunities for more home ownership and affordable housing in this State.”
Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) represents California’s 30th Assembly District, which includes all or portions of the cities and towns of Aromas, Big Sur, Chualar, Gilroy, Greenfield, Gonzales, Hollister, King City, Morgan Hill, Salinas, San Martin, San Juan Bautista, Soledad, Spreckels, and Watsonville.
