Advocate

Requires cities and counties to disclose governmental constraints on housing in their housing elements and prohibit them from adopting new or stricter housing restrictions within three years of state compliance approval, unless those constraints were disclosed and addressed or mandated by higher law.   

Allows cities and counties to approve certain rehabilitation or replacement projects for single-room occupancy (SRO) buildings with fewer replacement units than currently required, if the reduction is necessary to convert the SRO units into affordable rental housing and specific affordability conditions are met. This bill also updates rules for state-funded housing for homeless individuals and families by defining who qualifies as homeless and prohibiting requirements that such units be filled only through coordinated entry or similar referral systems. These provisions will take effect only if the Legislature provides funding. 

Requires cities and counties to allow housing developments of at least 5 units near transit stops, with specific height, density, affordability, labor, and anti-displacement standards. It streamlines approvals for qualifying projects and deems them compliant under state housing law, limiting local governments’ ability to block them. Local governments can instead adopt a compliant “transit-oriented development (TOD) alternative plan” in their housing elements to retain more control. Beginning in 2027, jurisdictions that deny eligible projects in high-resource areas will face automatic penalties under the Housing Accountability Act. 

Bars cities and counties from enacting or enforcing ordinances that prohibit people or organizations from providing support services or basic survival assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness, ensuring such aid is legally protected statewide.