California Legislature Getting Serious about Affordable Housing?

Although they're not going to let you live in this nice big house with fancy statues on it, the legislators who work inside it finally seem to be getting somewhat serious about affordable housing in the State of California.   

It well-established that the huge growth of the California economy in this recovery period has exacerbated rather than ameliorated the housing crisis.  As it closes out the first half of its 2-year legislative session, soon to head into the generous 4-month fall recess, the legislature is finally closing in on a package of bills that could generate some $20 billion to spur housing development in the central core of cities.

Historically when the legislature starts to talk affordable housing, a couple of things happen.  First, they use it as an excuse to bend environmental regulations.  Apparently it's fine for developers to build housing that doesn't hurt our air, water, soil or habitat but when they can sell it for market rate but when its time for affordable housing, these guys who make bazillions off of building unaffordable housing the rest of the time try to use the need for affordability as an excuse to weaken the California Environmental Quality Act or CEQA (known only as "See-Kwa").  

"This time of year I have to be on constant CEQA watch" one vigilant pro-environment lobbyist has quipped crassly (channelling his inner Veep writer), "they could eviscerate it while I'm taking a dump after lunch." 

I haven't heard any particular rumors of CEQA gutting getting inserted in these housing bills this year, but very much wanted to use that quote.  Actually a law passed last year by the voters will make it harder for sneaky last minute shenanigans in the capitol--legislators now have to put any amendments in print for a certain amount of time before enacting them, allowing legislators and constituents time to read the amendments before they are voted on, imagine that!

The other thing that also seems to happen when affordable housing legislation passes is that any big money created ends up being a subsidy to the developer industry--essentially paying them to build it.  I'd like to see us find a way to make building affordable housing the price of land speculation in California going forward. 

Anyway, I'm hopeful, given the authors, that this package of bills will be closer to the mark.  I particularly like the sound of Senate Bill 2 by Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego -- who represents the district I grew up in).  According to the Sacramento Bee, "SB 2 would establish a new recording fee on real estate transactions, ranging from $75 to $225. It would provide an annual source of revenue to fund affordable housing for low-income and homeless people."  

Naturally, some legislators balk at this fee claiming that it will hurt middle class people.  But might it be that the vast majority of real estate transactions in this state benefit the upper eschelon?  Sure I'd rather tax the developers than I would any middle class home sellers, but this may be the most viable option to create a real revenue stream and it will mostly hit the wealthy if its done right.

Thank you, Senator Atkins and other Democrats for attempting to tackle this absolutely vital issue in California--long overdue.