The newest addition to the California Chamber of Commerce job creator list provides an innovative solution to California’s housing crisis.
Bringing the job creator list to 14 bills is SB 1069 (Wieckowski; D-Fremont), which creates and expedites additional housing supply by streamlining the permitting process for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU).
The bill awaits action by the Senate.
Lower-Cost Homes
ADUs provide lower-cost and low carbon footprint homes in existing neighborhoods consistent with architectural traditions. Studies show that ADUs cost less to build, and rent for less than new market rate housing, making ADUs affordable by design.
SB 1069 amends existing State Second Unit Enabling law to further simplify the process of ADU adoption for residents by reducing parking requirements, streamlining the permitting process, and allowing ADUs by building permits within existing structures.
The average California home currently costs about 2.5 times the national average home price. The average monthly rent in California is 50% higher than the rest of the nation and even higher in cities such as San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, and Los Angeles. Average rents in all four of these cities are among the top 10 most unaffordable in the nation.
Data in a seminal 2015 publication, California’s High Housing Costs: Causes and Consequences, authored by the state Legislative Analyst’s Office, clearly show that the lack of affordable housing, particularly in coastal California, is one of the biggest drivers of institutional and generational poverty cycles. The publication reports that the bottom 25% of income earners are spending 67% of their income on housing.
Call to Support
In a letter, the CalChamber urges senators to support and pass the bill.
“State and local laws should enable residents to quickly and easily provide a home to someone in their community rather than set up barriers that make this impossible,” the CalChamber support letter states.
To view the job creator list, visit calchamber.com/jobcreators.
Action Needed
The CalChamber is urging members to contact their senators and ask them to support SB 1069.
