STATEMENT: San Mateo Superior Court Decision Exempting Charter Cities from the Housing Affordability Act Ignores California’s Need for Affordable Housing

December 4, 2019

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement regarding a San Mateo County Superior Court ruling exempting charter cities from the Housing Affordability Act:

“The San Mateo trial court’s ruling exempting charter cities from a key component of our housing laws is disappointing and patently ignores the very real need for more affordable housing in our communities. We want local governments to act in partnership with the state to address our housing and homelessness crisis. California has provided more than $1 billion to local governments over the past two years alone to streamline local procedures, update planning documents, and provide infrastructure financing to accompany new housing. When municipalities seek to avoid these responsibilities, we all lose.

“The impact of California’s housing crisis is vast – from shutting families out of the ability to purchase homes to making it harder for businesses to find and retain employees. We need to work together to solve this problem and create solutions that will add value to our communities, and to people’s lives.”

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En Español.

Toni G. Atkins is President pro Tempore of the California Senate. Having previously served as Speaker of the California Assembly, she began her tenure in the Senate in 2016. As Senator for District 39, she represents the cities of San Diego, Coronado, Del Mar and Solana Beach. Website of President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins: www.senate.ca.gov/Atkins