Fullerton, state reach agreement on city’s planning for future housing needs

The Orange County Register – January 19

Fullerton leaders have reached a settlement with the state over the city’s housing element. When looking at how much housing is needed in the state to meet the growing population, Fullerton’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) was 13,209 new units by the end of 2029. The city is not expected to be the builder of that housing, just to create the zoning environment and identify the areas of the city where developers could build – and at a variety of affordability levels, from the very-low to market rates. In the settlement, Fullerton leaders have agreed to implement a streamlined approval process of projects “ensuring that they align with state requirements while maintaining local considerations,” as well as comply with any timing requirements. The city will look for more affordable housing opportunities, officials said.

News

Bipartisan tax deal could lead to 200,000 new affordable rental units

MarketWatch – January 16

A tax deal proposed by federal legislators could lead to the creation of more than 200,000 new homes for low-income families. The proposal would boost the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) that incentivizes developers to build new affordable-housing units. The plan is part of the broader Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, introduced by Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat and the Senate Finance Committee chair, and Representative Jason Smith, a Missouri Republican and the House Ways and Means Committee chair.

San Diego’s Preservation and Progress Initiative seeks to encourage development while protecting historic sites

The Architect's Newspaper – January 24

San Diego officials rolled out tentative updates to the city’s Historic Preservation Program this week. The plan, outlined in the Preservation and Progress Initiative, is meant to quicken the process of new home construction while simultaneously protecting historic architectural and cultural sites around the city. The initiative also incentivizes the adaptive reuse of aging buildings, a press release stated, while encouraging city staffers to update policy and regulatory documents. The city hopes to start working on updating the policies and procedures in the spring, with public hearings on these slated to take place during the first half of 2025.

State wins a round in fight with Huntington Beach to build more housing

Los Angeles Times – January 19

California’s lawsuit against Huntington Beach, which accused the city of defying state efforts to ease the housing crisis, appears to be back on a fast track after the suit was temporarily halted by a Superior Court judge in November. A three-judge panel at California’s 4th Circuit Court of Appeal instructed a lower court last Thursday that Huntington Beach’s status as a charter city did not stop the state from seeking a rapid hearing on its lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that the city violated state law by rejecting a plan to provide enough houses and apartments to meet the region’s expected population growth.

Senator Wiener introduces bill to streamline housing development in San Francisco's coastal zones

Hoodline – January 19

In a move aimed at tackling San Francisco's dire housing shortage, State Senator Scott Wiener introduced a bill Thursday to cut the city's red tape on coastal development. SB 951 seeks to carve out developed areas of the city from the Coastal Zone, a swath of land regulated for environmental protection, which currently hobbles urban housing projects with extra layers of permitting. Wiener's office announced that the proposed legislation would not only expedite the approval process for new housing but also maintain the Coastal Commission's guard over natural resources.