Committee advances bill to reward local preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing

Assemblymember Quirk Silva presented AB 670 to the Local Government Committee, saying the bill strengthens housing-stability tools by enabling jurisdictions to count investments that preserve naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing-element and Annual Progress Report (APR) metrics.

Quirk Silva said private equity and corporate investors have targeted older multifamily properties that yield naturally affordable units, worsening California’s housing shortage. The bill would allow local governments to count investments in preserving NOAH in their housing element and APRs and would tighten reporting on demolitions and compliance with replacement and relocation requirements.

Sponsors including the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Association of Bay Area Governments, Public Interest Law Project, Enterprise Community Partners and other housing advocates said preservation provides stability and can be a cost-effective way to maintain affordability. Anya Lawler of the Public Interest Law Project told the committee current APRs give an incomplete picture because demolition reporting is narrow; AB 670 would ensure jurisdictions report all demolitions and document compliance with replacement and relocation obligations.

Committee members thanked the author and noted work with stakeholders including local realtors. The bill was passed out of committee and referred to Appropriations. The author said she would continue to work with stakeholders on outstanding concerns.