FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2023
Changes to SB 684 Make It a Net Negative for Communities of Color
California Community Builders Says Revised Bill Doesn’t Merit Governor’s Signature
CONTACT: Adam Briones, California Community Builders CEO, 510.961.3957, abriones@ccbuilders.org
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – SB 684, which was designed to increase lower-cost homeownership opportunities in California, underwent significant changes before passage yesterday, leading California Community Builders, which had been a cosponsor, to reconsider its position.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Anna M. Caballero (D-Merced), originally would have streamlined the approval process for small, infill housing projects of up to 10 units on vacant parcels in both single-family and multifamily neighborhoods, while preserving crucial protections for tenants and the environment. But, in a surprise change supported by Assembly Housing Committee leadership, the final version would only apply to existing multifamily neighborhoods, which are statistically more likely to be lower income and non-white.
“We tremendously appreciate Sen. Caballero’s role as a champion for homeownership in the legislature and her leadership on SB 684, and we strongly believe that promoting infill development is good for both housing affordability and the environment,” said California Community Builders CEO Adam Briones. “But in its amended form, we no longer feel the bill will help communities of color achieve homeownership and economic security. We were surprised and disappointed that Assembly Housing Committee leadership would support limiting new infill development only to neighborhoods that are generally lower income and often formerly redlined, while exempting wealthier, whiter single-family neighborhoods. The surprise amendment reinforces an unfortunate message that many people of color still feel is true: Our neighborhoods matter less to those in power than wealthy, white neighborhoods. This echo of California’s discriminatory past will unfortunately make it harder to build support for housing production in communities of color. Regretfully, we have concluded that Gov. Newsom should not sign SB 684 unless it is applied equitably to all neighborhoods.”
California Community Builders seeks to close the racial wealth gap by focusing on the core issue of housing and homeownership. Taking a data-driven, outcomes-focused approach, we research and advocate for policies that promote wealth-building and tear down barriers created by redlining, exclusionary zoning, and all forms of discrimination.
###
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY BUILDERS
Closing the Racial Wealth Gap Through Housing & Homeownership