California lawmakers recently introduced a bill in the state assembly intended to fast track the production of homes.
The bipartisan Fast Track Housing Package includes 22 housing bills aimed at cutting red tape, improving government efficiency, and building more affordable housing. The legislation would exempt most new urban housing developments from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
“The package targets the five key bottlenecks that delay housing development: application, CEQA compliance, entitlement, post-entitlement, and enforcement,” according to a news release from assemblymember Buffy Wicks. “By addressing inefficiencies at every step, lawmakers aim to reduce project timelines, cut costs, and get shovels in the ground faster.”
California is facing a housing crisis with a shortfall of 2.5 million homes and nearly 200,000 individuals experiencing homelessness, the release says.
