Create AFFORDABILITY

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California needs more housing working people and retirees can afford. 

A reality under current state law

Current rules limit what local governments can require from applicants seeking density bonus incentives. In Schreiber v. City of Los Angeles (2021), the court reinforced that density bonus applicants are not required to provide detailed financial pro formas to justify incentives and waivers, and cities cannot condition review on extra studies beyond what state law allows. This makes “it doesn’t pencil” claims harder for the public to verify.

1) Protect the affordable homes we already have

Preserve rent-controlled and naturally lower-cost housing, prevent displacement, and fund repairs and safety upgrades so existing homes stay livable.

2) Build naturally lower-cost “middle” housing

Support small apartments, courtyard buildings, duplexes, ADUs, and 3 to 5 story homes with clear, objective standards so compliant projects can move quickly.

3) Use public land and existing buildings to lower costs

Put public land near jobs and services to work for affordability, and convert underused buildings when it is faster and cheaper than new construction, with local oversight.

4) Make affordable housing cheaper to build

Simplify the funding maze, standardize requirements, and reduce avoidable delay so public dollars produce more homes, not more paperwork.

5) Target help to the people with the greatest need

Pair new housing with direct support for extremely low-income households so affordability is real, not theoretical.

6) A fair deal for public concessions

When government grants major concessions, extra height, density, parking reductions, streamlined approvals, the public should get a proportional return in affordability. If someone claims higher affordability is “infeasible,” that claim should be backed by standardized, publicly understandable information.