Newsom Signs Legislation to Expand Housing Production

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed legislation to expand housing production in California, streamline housing permitting and increase density across the state. The suite of bills also will help address the interrelated problems of climate change and housing affordability by promoting denser housing closer to major employment hubs. The governor also highlighted the state’s ongoing work to spur more housing production, tackle barriers to construction and hold local governments accountable.

“The housing affordability crisis is undermining the California Dream for families across the state, and threatens our long-term growth and prosperity,” said Newsom. “Making a meaningful impact on this crisis will take bold investments, strong collaboration across sectors, and political courage from our leaders and communities to do the right thing and build housing for all.”

California officials announced the new California Housing Accelerator – a $1.75 billion component of Newsom’s California Comeback Plan to expedite construction of an estimated 6,500 shovel-ready affordable multifamily units in projects.

The California Comeback Plan invests an unprecedented $10.3 billion in housing and $12 billion in homelessness which will lead to the creation of more than 84,000 new affordable homes including more than 44,000 new housing units and treatment beds for formerly homelessness. This plan marks the most significant investment in housing in California’s history.