TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file report on travel to Sacramento, CA on July 8, 2019 to testify in support of SB 450 (Umberg).
DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND:
On July 8th, I traveled to Sacramento to testify before the State Assembly Natural Resources Committee in support of Senate Bill 450. This bill by Senator Tom Umberg is sponsored by the City of Long Beach and would exempt the conversion of a motel into supportive or transitional housing that is linked to supportive services from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Currently, many families experiencing homelessness are already temporarily living in motels through motel voucher programs, and some nuisance motels are blights in neighborhoods. While many of these motels are ideal opportunities to convert for affordable housing, the CEQA delays and costs that can be up to $1 million, can make the projects unfeasible.
This bill will help Long Beach take a significant step to address our affordable housing needs, while working to repurpose existing nuisance properties.
SB 450 was approved by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee by an 8-1 vote on July 8th, and is now referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact with the filing of this report.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
AL AUSTIN
COUNCILMAN, EIGHTH DISTRICT