Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with house amendments and pass a bill that authorizes religious institutions such as churches and synagogues, and nonprofit colleges to build affordable housing on their property.

Highlights:

• Requires that a housing development project be a use by right upon the request of an applicant who submits an application for streamlined approval, on any land owned by an independent institution of higher education or religious institution in order to build affordable housing (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that a housing development project that is eligible for approval as a use by right under the bill is also eligible for a density bonus, incentives, or concessions, or waivers or reductions of development and parking standards, except as specified by other acts (Sec. 1). 

• require a local government that determines a proposed development is in conflict with any objective planning standards, as specified, to provide the developer with written documentation explaining those conflicts under a specified timeframe (Sec. 1). 

• Expands the exemption for ministerial approval of projects under California Environmental Quality Act (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text