We're proud to advance sensible housing solutions. AB 2728, a BizFed-sponsored bill authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, made it out of the Assembly Committee on Housing & Community Development today on a 7-0 vote, with two members not voting. BizFed Senior Policy Chris Wilson flew to Sacramento to testify in support of the bill, which seeks to build on the success of SB 4 (Wiener). Chris reminded committee members during today's hearing: "You can't manage what you can't measure."
WHAT DID BIZFED-SUPPORTED SB 4 DO?
The "Yes in God's Backyard" (YIGBY) bill was signed into law last year followed sustained advocacy from BizFed leaders. The legislation sought to unlock 171,000 acres of land owned by faith institutions and nonprofit colleges that can be used for housing development. A significant share of this land is located conveniently close to existing transit stops.
WHAT WILL BIZFED-SPONSORED AB 2728 DO?
The proposed "Enhancing the Affordable Housing on Faith & Higher Educations Lands Act" includes a look-back provision that requires local governments to track the number of permit applications submitted under SB 4, the location of these projects, and the total number of building permits issued and units constructed as a result of SB 4. It also requires the Department of Housing & Community Development to identify and develop a list of housing-related state grants and financial incentives.
We invite you to borrow language from Chris Wilson's testimony for your own campaigns supporting AB 2728. Our work isn't finished when we get BizFed-supported bills passed into law. We're also committed to ensuring legislation works, and advancing sensible improvements when necessary. AB 2728 will equip planners, developers, and government leaders to better understand what housing solutions are working. The bill now heads to the local government committee. Please contact chris.wilson@bizfed.org with questions.
