California Moves to Accelerate Affordable Housing

California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken another major step in tackling the state’s historic housing shortage and rising home prices by signing a new package of housing laws. The measures — including Senate Bill 79 (SB 79) — aim to streamline construction, boost housing supply, and improve access to affordable homes for California families.

In a statement, Newsom said:

“All Californians deserve an affordable place to live — close to jobs, schools, and opportunity. Housing near transit means shorter commutes, lower costs, and more time with family. When we invest in housing, we’re investing in people — their chance to build a future, raise a family, and be part of a community.”

A New Phase in California’s Housing Reforms

Under the new plan, a set of laws signed by the governor will allow local governments and construction companies to build more homes, faster and at lower costs.
These measures continue Newsom’s broader reform efforts to rebuild California’s housing system — a program that many experts call one of the most significant housing overhauls in the state’s history.

Key Goals of the New Law

The newly signed housing package focuses on several core priorities designed to address different aspects of California’s complex housing crisis:

1. Faster construction permitting:
Administrative and inspection procedures will be streamlined at every stage to reduce project delays.

2. Local government accountability:
Cities and local councils that slow or block housing approvals will be held accountable under the new enforcement rules.

3. Affordable housing near public transit:
With the implementation of SB 79, new housing developments near transit stations will be prioritized so residents can live closer to workplaces and schools.

4. Easier installation of electric vehicle charging stations:
The new laws remove bureaucratic barriers to creating environmentally friendly infrastructure in apartment and condominium buildings.

5. Support for farmworkers and low-income families:
Expanded initiatives will help provide safe and affordable housing for agricultural workers in rural areas and California’s Central Valley.

List of Newly Signed Laws

In total, Governor Newsom has signed more than 30 housing-related bills.
The legislative package covers a wide range of topics, from urban density and zoning reform to tax incentives for affordable housing development.

Some of the most notable bills include:

• AB 36 – Establishes new indicators for “pro-housing cities.”

• AB 87 – Expands density bonuses for urban development projects.

• AB 457 – Streamlines the construction of farmworker housing in the Central Valley.

• AB 462 – Speeds up permitting for accessory dwelling units in coastal and disaster-affected areas.

• AB 507 – Facilitates the conversion of vacant office buildings into residential units.

• SB 21 – Reconstructs small housing units for families and unhoused individuals.

A Human-Centered and Sustainable Approach

The newly signed laws are not only expected to increase housing supply in urban and rural areas but also to introduce a new model for sustainable, transit-oriented, and people-centered development.

By combining affordability, accessibility, and environmental responsibility, California aims to create communities where residents can live, work, and thrive — without being priced out of opportunity.