Governor Newsom Signs Senate Leader Atkins’ SB 9 – the California HOME Act – Into Law
SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released a statement today following Governor Gavin Newsom signing into law SB 9, the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME) Act, which widens access to housing for California’s working families and provides homeowners with more options to create intergenerational wealth:
“For too many Californians, the idea of owning a home, renting a house big enough for their family, or even just being able to live in the community where they work is a far-off dream. This law will help close the gap and make those dreams a reality. The years-long housing crisis has had a deep impact on our state, and has contributed to overcrowding, long commutes, and undue disadvantage for lower-income families. The intent of SB 9 is clear – to streamline the process so homeowners can create a duplex or subdivide their existing property up to four units – and aims to set California’s housing availability on a path of inclusion so that more families can attain the California dream. I’m appreciative to Governor Newsom for signing SB 9, and to my Senate coauthors, Senators Anna Caballero, Dave Cortese, Lena Gonzalez, Mike McGuire, Susan Rubio, and Scott Wiener, along with the other members of the Senate Housing Lead Group – Senators María Elena Durazo, Richard Roth, and Nancy Skinner – for their hard work and determination to prioritize housing production. I’d also like to thank my Assembly coauthors, Assemblymembers Robert Rivas and Buffy Wicks for their partnership, as well as Speaker Anthony Rendon and Assemblymember Cristina Garcia for advocating for SB 9’s advancement. Collaboration has been at the forefront of our efforts from the beginning, and today, it pays dividends for all Californians.”
SB 9 is a critical piece of the Senate’s Housing Package, a comprehensive effort to increase the supply of housing in California. Pro Tem Atkins’ other housing bill in the package, SB 7 – legislation restoring California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) streamlining provisions and expanding them to benefit small-scale housing projects – was signed into law by Governor Newsom in May 2021.
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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