Welcome toConstruction & Claims, a periodic digest
of the headlines, statutory and regulatory changes and court cases
involving construction news, claims, bid protests, contract
administration and payment-related disputes.
Legislation Aimed at Increasing Affordable Housing in
California Signed into Law
Governor Newsom signed Senator Scott Wiener's Senate Bill 4
and Senate Bill 423, which took effect on January 1, 2024, and
collectively aim to significantly increase affordable housing stock
across California.
Senate Bill 4, the Affordable Housing on Faith
Lands Act, allows affordable housing to be developed on property
owned by churches, faith institutions and nonprofit colleges
without the need for rezoning or discretionary approval processes
or review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Many such institutions own excess land that could accommodate
affordable housing, but have been blocked from developing housing
on that land by zoning laws