Existing law, the Housing Accountability Act, which is part of the Planning and Zoning Law, prohibits, among other things, a local agency from disapproving a housing development project or emergency shelter, or condition approval in a manner that renders the housing or emergency shelter infeasible, as specified, for a housing development project for very low, low-, or moderate-income households, or an emergency shelter, unless the local agency makes specified written findings supported by a preponderance of the evidence in the record. The act authorizes a project applicant, a person who would be eligible to apply for residency in the housing development or emergency shelter, or a housing organization to bring a lawsuit to enforce its provisions.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to amend the Housing Accountability Act to provide additional certainty for applicants for housing development projects with respect to review and approval by local agencies.