California OKs bill for affordable housing on nonprofit-owned land

The California State Senate passed a bill this week that would permit the construction of affordable housing units on land owned by faith-based institutions and nonprofit colleges, even if local zoning ordinances and laws would normally prevent construction. This bill, introduced by Sen. Scott Wiener, is designed to reduce barriers faced by religious organizations for constructing multifamily housing units on their properties. It would supersede local zoning rules for applicable institutions and prevent opponents from using the environmental review process to slow the construction process. If signed into law, the bill would unlock an enormous amount of land exclusively for affordable housing and has passed overwhelmingly in the Senate. It is now in