San Diego has taken a big step towards increasing affordable housing, as the City Council has approved loosening zoning rules where high-rise housing and backyard apartments can be built. In a 5-4 vote, the City Council allowed taller residential buildings to be as far as a mile away from mass transit as opposed to the previous half-mile requirement.

Due to the California housing crunch, the San Diego Union Tribune reports that San Diego could have faced sanctions from the state if this policy was not approved. The city now has over 5,000 additional acres close enough to transit to qualify for developer density bonuses.

Councilwoman Vivian Moreno said the new rules will result in more homes for low- and moderate-income San Diegans, but Councilwoman Jennifer Campbell, who voted against the change, said it will have a terrible impact because studies indicate that most people won’t walk a full mile to mass transit.