Hi John, When our lawmakers, unions, and advocates come together, we accomplish big things to secure housing and economic justice for Californians! Case in point: AB 2011 (Wicks), 2022’s milestone affordable housing bill, has officially passed the Senate and Assembly! This legislation has and will accomplish a lot: it has put aside past political gridlock to open up the process for housing development while protecting the people and jobs that bring these new neighborhoods to life. In particular, the bill creates new streamlining provisions to build housing in underutilized commercial areas (such as abandoned strip malls or parking lots, underutilized office parks) while strengthening working standards for the folks who build that housing. |
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The Impact of AB 2011 - Homes According to Urban Footprint’s study, AB 2011 will free up over 100,000 acres for development, which could mean anywhere from 1.6 to 2.4 million new homes and 300,000 to 400,000 affordable homes that are explicitly set aside for low-income people and families.
- Jobs Projects have stalled waiting for required union bids, so AB 2011 goes a different route: it makes strong worker support commonplace instead. Workers on AB 2011 sites will get prevailing wages and healthcare coverage, a huge victory for one of California’s least-insured workforces.
- Environment Urban Footprint estimates that – because they are next to jobs, commercial and transit corridors, instead of being built further and further away from cities – the people and families that live in the homes made possible by AB 2011 will:
- Use 40% less water,
- Drive 33% fewer miles, and
- Produce 45% less greenhouse gas emissions.
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This is a critical moment for our affordable housing movement! AB 2011 is one of the most important affordable housing bills to come out of Sacramento in years and signals a new chapter for housing solutions! More Context: Housing production legislation has been stalled at the state level for the past several years, as lawmakers have been working to negotiate a plan that can accomplish two things at once: create significantly more affordable housing effectively and efficiently while also strengthening worker rights and wages. AB 2011 meets both these goals! With AB 2011, we have a solid opportunity to move forward on big, bold housing solutions. Today, let’s offer a round of applause to the leadership of Senator Buffy Wicks and the collective action powering this win. |
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I can’t wait to see what else we can do when we come together and demand housing justice for our low-income and middle-class communities! |
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Onward,  Abram Diaz,
NPH Policy Director |
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