Habitat for Humanity, California League of Conservation Voters, and the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California join the movement for More HOMES!
Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California Announces Co-Sponsorship of SB 50, the “More HOMES” Act, Joins California League of Conservation Voters, Habitat for Humanity in Advancing Housing Legislation
New Tools to Solve Housing Crisis, Reduce Pollution, Prevent Renter Displacement
Sacramento, CA – Today California YIMBY and the office of Sen. Scott Wiener announced that the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California (NPH) has become a co-sponsor of SB 50, the More HOMES Act. NPH represents 750 affordable housing developers, advocates, community leaders and businesses, working to secure resources, promote good policy, educate the public and support affordable homes as the foundation for thriving individuals, families and neighborhoods.
Also today, the California League of Conservation Voters announced that it was signing on to SB 50 as a conditional supporter, and Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco signed on as a full supporter. CLCV is the non-partisan political arm of California’s environmental movement, representing environmental activists and non-profit conservation organizations across the state. Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco builds homes and sustains affordable homeownership opportunities for families in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties.
“NPH is pleased to continue partnering with Senator Wiener to increase access to safe, stable, affordable homes and strengthen our communities,” said Amie Fishman, Executive Director of the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California. “NPH is a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 50 because it creates new housing near transit, increases affordable housing opportunity in historically exclusionary communities, and provides critical tenant protections. This bill supports our commitment to producing, protecting, and preserving affordable opportunities for our most vulnerable community members.”
“Building denser and more affordable housing close to public transportation is key to reducing pollution and improving the health of our communities and the quality of our lives,” said Mary Creasman, Chief Executive Officer of the California League of Conservation Voters. “An integrated approach to land use is necessary in the face of increased climate impacts, and CLCV is proud to conditionally support this legislation, and work alongside the author and other stakeholders, to ensure green infrastructure and adaptation best practices are included along with robust affordable housing and anti-displacement standards.”
“Working families are under immense pressure in the Bay Area,” said Maureen Sedonaen, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco. “The housing and affordability crisis they are facing demands an urgent response that will have a real impact. Updating zoning standards to allow higher density housing on transit corridors would be just what the doctor ordered. Habitat urges all legislators interested in helping build more safe and decent homes for Californians to support SB50.”
SB 50, the More HOMES Act, was introduced in the California legislature in December, 2018 by a broad, bipartisan coalition of California legislators. The legislation creates new incentives for the construction of housing within one-half mile of existing transit stations in California cities, and includes protections against displacement for renters and sensitive communities living in those areas. The bill is expected to help relieve the acute housing shortage in California’s cities while reducing pressure to build housing far away from job and educational opportunities, which forces long commutes and exacerbates pollution.
“California YIMBY is committed to ensuring that California is truly for everyone,” said Brian Hanlon, President of California YIMBY. “We’re honored to be joined by the affordable housing professionals at NPH and Habitat for Humanity, as well as the environmental advocates with California League of Conservation Voters, to help us solve the housing crisis. The More HOMES Act will help make sure that we have enough housing for all Californians, while also reducing the pollution that causes climate change.”
Recent research from the California Air Resources Board found that the housing crisis is forcing California workers to drive long distances to their jobs, jeopardizing the state’s efforts to reduce the pollution that causes climate change. More HOMES focuses on updating housing rules in areas that have strong transportation networks, and in areas with high job concentration — allowing Californians to live closer to where they work.
For more information about the More HOMES Act, visit http://cayim.by/morehomes
For a list of supporters of the bill, visit http://cayim.by/mhsupporters
About California YIMBY: California YIMBY is a community of neighbors who welcome more neighbors. We believe that an equitable California begins with abundant, secure, affordable housing. We focus on housing and land use policy at the state and local level to ensure grassroots organizers and city leaders have the tools they need to accelerate home building. https://dev-ca-yimby.pantheonsite.io/