March 27, 2025

Mar 31

Member Updates

Everyone gave great organizational updates, too much good stuff to add it all here. Please check out the full notes for the latest on what your fellow HWG members are up to, including things you may be interested in getting involved in!
Here are some specific requests, opportunities, and invitations that were mentioned:

Neighborhood Housing Services of LA County:
- Restore the Legacy LA Coalition: addressing relief efforts in both wildfire-effected regions, including free inspections and free financial counseling for affected families.
- Reach out to join, access these resources, or with questions: gphillips@nhslacounty.org

Central Valley Urban Institute
- Public Hearing: A Legacy of Strength, Shaping the Future for African American Families in the Central Valley
  - Date: April 15, 2025
  - Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00PM
  - Location: Council Chambers, City of Fresno

Member Bill Support Requests

Sponsors: California Community Builders, UnidosUS, California YIMBY
This bill was the policy solution chosen by the HWG “Legislative Caucus AKA the Tiger Team” this year (let us know if you want to join the Tiger Team)
AB 595 requires the State Treasurer’s office to create a pilot program to provide tax credits to finance the construction of income-restricted affordable for-sale housing

It is partnered with a budget request for $100 million to get the program started ASAP

Check out the factsheet & one-page explainer
Please send in a template support letter, or reach out to Adam (abriones@ccbuilders.org) add your logo to the coalition letter!!
Your support on the budget request would also be greatly appreciated, please reach out to Adam (abriones@ccbuilders.org) to sign on to the budget request coalition letter as well

Sponsor: Our Future LA Coalition (including Abundant Housing LA, Inner City Law Center, United Way of Greater LA, California YIMBY)
AB 647, the Better Urban Infill and Livable Design (BUILD) Housing Act of 2025, creates a streamlined process to build up to eight residential units on any lot containing a single-family home or zoned for eight or fewer residential units, if one of the units is affordable at 80% AMI or below and certain site criteria are met.
Factsheet, bill language
Sign-on to the coalition support letter here!

Sponsor: Rise Economy
Will expand the federal CRA, generating an estimated $15 billion annually to reinvest in low-income and BIPOC communities, including affordable housing development, preservation, and other community needs.
More information, and a form to sign on in support: https://rise-economy.org/californiacra/

Sponsor: Rise Economy
Creates CalAccount, fee-free, penalty-free debit account, with a debit card and no minimum account balance or overdraft fees for people who are under-banked or are unbanked.
More information: https://rise-economy.org/public-banking/

Sponsors: California YIMBY, Greenbelt Alliance, SPUR, Bay Area Council, Streets for All
SB 79 creates a set of tiers legalizing new homes near qualifying major transit stops on any site zoned for residential, mixed use, commercial, or light industrial development, with homes of up to seven stories allowed in areas closest to transit, stepping down to shorter structures for building sites further from transit stops.
Take a look at the factsheet or one-page explainer.
Letters of support greatly appreciated!

You can customize this template support letter and submit it to the state portal, or send it to Emily (emily@cayimby.org) to submit on your behalf.

Sacramento Update

Committee hearings are in full swing!
Budget conversations are also happening right now, many related to funding allocations for specific bills.
Thursday, March 27, Assemblymember Wicks announced the Fast Track Housing Package with a number of legislators and co-sponsoring organizations, which all address different aspects of the housing process to help us build faster: https://cayimby.org/fast-track-housing-package/

California YIMBY

April 24, 2025