Busy Week on the Housing Front

It was a busy week on the housing front, with a key federal court ruling smacking down a lawsuit challenging legislation (SB 828, Wiener) the Bay Area Council sponsored to hold cities accountable for meeting their housing obligations. The city of Huntington Beach had sued the state of California in an effort to wriggle out of its obligation under SB 828 to plan for 13,000 new housing units. State Attorney General Rob Bonta, who has taken an aggressive tack in enforcing the state’s housing laws, announced the decision in a statement.

Also this week, Council Vice President Louis Mirante joined KALW radio and host Wendy Holcombe to discuss San Francisco’s dismal performance in approving new housing permits and a new report from UC Berkeley Professor Moira O’Neill that finds San Francisco is likely violating at least 18 important state housing laws in its policies and practices. Mirante discussed the need in San Francisco for permit reform, fee reduction, and a greater focus by the Board of Supervisors on housing reform, while he praised Mayor Breed for her work to speed up production. Listen to the show>> And on Tuesday, Council Senior Vice President Matt Regan participated in the Belvedere City Council meeting in support of a project to bring 42 new housing units to the toney island community that has a history of making it difficult to build housing. To engage in the Council’s housing policy work, please contact Vice President Louis Mirante.