Golden State Today

Governor Newsom signed into law two bills aimed at expanding housing options and providing greater stability for Californians experiencing homelessness. The new laws facilitate the use of hotels and motels for emergency shelter beds and streamline the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) across the state.

"The homelessness crisis demands immediate and innovative action, not the status quo. With these new laws, local governments have even more tools to provide housing. I urge them to fully utilize the state’s unprecedented resources to address homelessness," said Governor Gavin Newsom.

The legislation includes AB 2835, authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, which removes the sunset date on tenancy rules allowing service providers to place homeless individuals in privately owned hotels and motels for extended periods. This approach has been shown to enhance stability for those in need.

AB 3057, authored by Assemblymember Lori Wilson, aims to streamline the process for local governments to permit and construct Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs), thereby increasing affordable living spaces throughout California.

Local governments have successfully used hotels and motels to house homeless individuals, supported by Governor Newsom’s housing programs. Since 2019, over $27 billion has been invested in services and housing initiatives aimed at preventing and ending homelessness. These investments include $3.3 billion for Homekey, $1 billion in Encampment Resolution Funding, and $4.85 billion in Homelessness Housing Assistance Program funds.

In 2023, approximately 181,000 Californians experienced homelessness, with around 90,000 living in unsheltered conditions. Many communities have utilized available hotel and motel space as interim shelters under Governor Newsom's initiatives. AB 2835 extends this capability indefinitely.

"We need solutions to our homelessness crisis that are both compassionate and effective," said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel. "AB 2835 will deliver on both fronts by providing much-needed stability to kids and families experiencing homelessness while also cutting red tape and saving taxpayer resources."

The lack of affordable homes is a key driver of homelessness in California. ADUs and JADUs are seen as effective options for adding necessary housing units. Today's bills extend current exemptions from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to JADUs.

"AB 3057 represents a small but significant technical change that offers Californians more accessible and efficient options to build affordable housing solutions," said Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson.

Since taking office, Governor Newsom has invested over $40 billion in affordable housing initiatives and more than $27 billion to address homelessness. His recent executive order urges local governments to use state funding to address unsanitary encampments within their communities.

The Governor has also enacted numerous CEQA reforms into law and established the Housing Accountability Unit at the California Department of Housing and Community Development to ensure cities fulfill their legal responsibilities regarding housing plans.