AB 2011 allows for ministerial, by-right approval for affordable housing on commercially-zoned lands, and also allows such approvals for mixed-income housing along commercial corridors, as long as the projects meet specified affordability, labor, and environmental criteria. The bill also requires that all projects seeking approval under its provisions ensure all construction workers earn prevailing wages and receive health benefits.

With thousands of potential commercial sites across California, the bill would allow production of new affordable housing units at scale, without changing the density or character of existing residential neighborhoods. One recent analysis found the potential for 2.4 million units statewide. 

The bill also includes new homeownership opportunities for middle-income Californians, while promoting climate-friendly affordable development on sites close to jobs and transit.

Updates: AB 2011 passed the State Senate on 8/29/22 by a vote of 33-0, and received its concurrence vote in the State Assembly on 8/29/22 by a vote of 67-4. AB 2011 was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on 9/28/22. Read our press release on the bill’s signature here.

Author: Assembly Member Buffy Wicks (D, AD 15)

Co-authors: Assembly Member Bloom (D, AD 50), Grayson (D, AD 14), Quirk-Silva (D, AD 65), Villapudua (D, AD 13), and Senator Scott Wiener (D, SD 11)

Sponsors: California Conference of Carpenters, California Housing Consortium

Resources: AB 2011 Fact Sheet