Biden Housing Plan Gives a Nod to Council Strategies

Fresh off a successful DC advocacy trip that focused heavily on housing reforms, and our 2021 decision to open a permanent DC presence with Frank Holland, who has doggedly carried our housing views to Congress and the Administration, the Bay Area Council was elated by a sweeping plan by President Biden to address the nation’s housing affordability crisis that perfectly aligned with our strategies. The Biden-Harris Housing Supply Action Plan boldly embraces tactics such as ending restrictive local zoning that is one of the biggest barriers to producing the kind of multi-unit housing critical to addressing the shortage at scale.

The plan also highlighted the important role of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in creating affordable in-fill housing. Legislation (SB 1069) the Council sponsored in 2016 launched an ADU revolution in California, and subsequent reform bills have accelerated ADU production across the state. The Biden-Harris plan also called for desperately needed changes in affordable housing tax credits, and for developing new ADU financing mechanisms that the Council for several years has been working to create, specifically to help lower-income homeowners. To engage in the Council’s housing policy work, please contact Senior Vice President Matt Regan.