COUNCIL-SPONSORED BILL TACKLES DEARTH OF STUDENT HOUSING

Across California an estimated 762,000 college students experience some form of housing insecurity or homelessness because of the state’s massive housing shortage. As part of our overall battle to increase new housing, the Bay Area Council is sponsoring legislation (SB 1227) by state Sen. Nancy Skinner that would encourage developers to build affordable student housing. The bill would allow the construction of 35 percent more units over existing local limits as long as 20 percent of the units are dedicated for low-income students, among other requirements. It would also eliminate parking requirements that add considerable cost to projects.

The bill is one of several the Council is sponsoring or supporting this year to boost housing. The Council also is sponsoring SB 229 by state Sen. Bob Wieckowski (Fremont) that would ease local regulatory barriers and fees on accessory dwelling units, aka granny units. And, were supporting two key bills by state Sen. Scott Weiner (San Francisco) that would boost housing near transit (SB 827) and hold cities more accountable for meeting their housing obligations (SB 828). To engage in the Council’s housing policy, please contact Senior Vice President Matt Regan.