Golden State Today

SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Assemblymember Buffy Wicks have unveiled Assembly Bill 1893 (AB 1893), aimed at modernizing the builder's remedy provision under California's Housing Accountability Act to address the state's housing crisis.

Bonta emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “California is facing a housing crisis of epic proportions. That is why we have been acting with great urgency, and why I’m now proud to sponsor AB 1893.” Assemblymember Wicks echoed the sentiment, stating, “It’s going to take all of us to solve our housing crisis, and AB 1893 will require all cities and counties to be a part of the solution.”

Adam Briones, CEO of California Community Builders, expressed support for the legislation, calling it essential and common sense. He highlighted the importance of addressing housing concerns for Californians, particularly those of color who face challenges with high housing costs.

Maureen Sedonaen, representing Habitat for Humanity California, and its affiliates, also backed the bill, emphasizing the need to use all available tools to build affordable housing and urging local governments to collaborate in this effort.

AB 1893 aims to provide clearer standards and guidelines for the builder's remedy provision, ensuring more efficient processing of housing projects. The legislation includes provisions to designate suitable sites for development, establish objective standards for zoning, and incentivize housing construction by making more projects financially feasible, especially for smaller developers.

The proposed legislation seeks to streamline the process for builder's remedy applications and promote the development of affordable housing options. By updating and clarifying existing laws, AB 1893 aims to facilitate the construction of housing in cities and counties that need to meet their housing obligations.

For more details and a comprehensive overview of AB 1893, interested parties can access the full legislation text here.