Builder’s Remedy

A legal mechanism within the Housing Affordability Act (HAA) in the U.S. that can be applied in certain states to expedite the construction of low- or middle-income housing. It allows a developer to bypass or ignore most of the municipality’s zoning laws and legally expedite development.

California Senate Bill

Legislation, when proposed by the CA State Senate, is given a number/ID. For Example, SB79 is a proposed bill for transit-oriented development (TOD) that will allow near-unlimited development in many neighborhoods without local input.

Southern California Association of Governments

SCAG is the largest metropolitan planning organization in the U.S. They are involved with planning and allocating RHNA numbers. SCAG is also involved with the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS).

Regional Housing Numbers Allocation

RHNA is a state-mandated process whereby HCD (CA State Department of Housing and Community Development) quantifies and allocates each region’s housing needs. State Law requires each region’s local governments (via SCAG) to accommodate a certain portion of development in each jurisdiction’s planning and revised Housing Element.

Our Neighborhood Voices

ONV is a grassroots nonprofit sponsoring a ballot initiative to restore local authority over housing. Members are your neighbors, colleagues, and local leaders. There are now two separate organizations. The ongoing effort to place an initiative on the California State Ballot will be led by the existing Our Neighborhood Voices political organization. To increase education and awareness, a 501c3 Non-Profit has been created. Please sign up, volunteer or donate to this effort.

In-Lieu Fees

Developers’ option to pay a fee instead of constructing the required affordable units in their project. Those funds are amassed and placed in a housing trust to build affordable units in other specific projects.

Department of Housing and Community Development (State of CA)

This department enforces housing and homelessness laws, including certification of Housing Elements. They also assign RHNA numbers.

Housing Accountability Act

The CA Housing Accountability Act (HAA), Government Code section 65589.5, establishes limitations to a local government’s ability to deny or reduce density.

Housing Accountability Act

The CA Housing Accountability Act (HAA), Government Code section 65589.5, establishes limitations to a local government’s ability to deny or reduce density.

General Plan – Required by CA State Law

A general plan is designed to serve as the jurisdiction’s “constitution” or “blueprint” for future decisions concerning land use, infrastructure, public services, and resource conservation. All specific plans, subdivisions, public works projects, and zoning decisions made by the County must be consistent with the General Plan.

California Environmental Quality Act

CEQA stands for the California Environmental Quality Act, traditionally requiring state and local agencies in California to assess and disclose the environmental impacts of proposed development projects. Recent reforms significantly reduce the environmental review requirements. This has potentially negative environmental impacts and reduced community input.

California State Assembly Bill

Legislation, when proposed by the CA State Assembly, is given a number/ID. For Example, AB1287, passed in 2023, updated the California Density Bonus Law if more affordable units were included in a project.