Council Launches Statewide Casita Coalition to Promote ADUs
The Bay Area Council has launched a new statewide coalition to expand construction of accessory dwelling units, aka “casitas.” The Casita Coalition builds on the phenomenal success of the Council’s groundbreaking advocacy over the past several years to ease local regulatory barriers and make it easier, faster and less expensive for homeowners to construct ADUs. Since reform legislation the Council sponsored in 2016 was passed, ADU applications statewide have surged dramatically.
Made up of other advocacy and nonprofit organizations, builders, architects, city planners, homeowners and more, the Casita Coalition works to win more legislative and regulatory reforms, provide education and information about ADUs and promote and advance new building technologies, financing mechanisms and more. Casitas (Spanish for small house) are an incredible untapped form of affordable infill housing ideal for seniors, young people, and workers who deserve a place to live in every community, but cannot afford the exorbitant cost of housing in most California communities. Learn more about the Casita Coalition, our founders and members on our new webpage!
In other housing news, the Council this week testified in support of a number of key bills that all cleared various committees. SB 50 (Wiener) passed its second hearing after a compromise that folds in elements from a competing bill, SB 4 (McGuire). The amended bill softens elements of SB 50 aimed at dramatically expanding housing density near transit- and jobs-rich areas. Two bills the Council is sponsoring, AB 1483 (Grayson) to strengthen local housing data collection and AB 1485 (Wicks) to provide financial incentives for affordable housing, also passed committees. Other bills that advanced include SB 5 (Beall) to promote affordable housing and community development, AB 1487 (Chiu) to create a regional housing financing agency and AB 1484 (Grayson) to limit fees on new housing. To engage in the Council’s housing policy work, please contact Senior Vice President Matt Regan.
