SACRAMENTO, CA – A significant housing initiative led by Senator Scott Wiener has recently made strides in the California legislature.
The Abundant & Affordable Homes Near Transit Act (SB 79), which aims to tackle California’s housing shortage while also advancing climate objectives, passed the Assembly Housing Committee with a notable 9-1 vote.
Next, the bill is set to be reviewed by the Assembly Local Government Committee.
SB 79 seeks to facilitate the development of multi-family housing in proximity to public transit stations, such as rail stops and bus rapid transit (BRT) lines, by instituting statewide zoning standards.
Additionally, the legislation allows construction on land owned by transit agencies, which is projected to alleviate the housing affordability crisis and rejuvenate underfunded public transit systems.
“The disaster of our housing shortage demands powerful solutions, and today’s vote is a step toward providing one,” stated Senator Wiener, emphasizing the urgency of California’s housing crisis and the need to attract new riders to public transportation.
One of the key features of SB 79 is a tiered zoning system that adjusts allowances based on the proximity and frequency of transit services.
The bill would allow building heights of up to seven stories surrounding major transit hubs, with reduced height and density options extending outward up to half a mile.
However, it applies only to areas near high-capacity rail and BRT stops, specifically excluding low-frequency bus stops.
Prior to the bill’s passage, the Assembly Housing Committee introduced amendments that increased affordability requirements, fortified local tenant protections, reinforced demolition restrictions, and established minimum density standards.
In earlier Senate discussions, modifications were made to give cities greater leeway in applying the new zoning regulations, along with removing references to light industrial zones and the Surplus Lands Act.
Proponents of the bill argue that California’s acute housing shortage is intensified by exclusionary zoning laws that prevent the construction of multi-family units near transit locations.
This situation leads to underutilization of the state’s transit systems, while escalating housing costs and worsening traffic congestion and pollution.
Advocates believe transit-oriented development presents a mutually beneficial solution; it reduces dependence on cars and cuts climate emissions, while simultaneously making public transportation both viable and financially sustainable.
Support for SB 79 extends beyond Senator Wiener and includes organizations such as California YIMBY, Streets for All, Greenbelt Alliance, SPUR, and the Bay Area Council.
They draw parallels to successful models worldwide, citing other states’ similar legislative actions, including Colorado’s requirement for cities to allow 40 housing units per acre within a quarter mile of transit, Massachusetts’ mandate for at least one multifamily district per city, and Utah’s standard for 50 units per acre in designated transit zones.
Under the provisions of SB 79, projects meeting state criteria regarding affordability, labor, and environmental assessments can also qualify for an expedited approval process under Senate Bill 423 (Wiener, 2023).
Cities have the option to propose alternative Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) plans, contingent upon approval by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Since its introduction in January 2025, SB 79 has consistently progressed through the legislative process, having cleared the Senate Housing Committee in April and received full Senate approval in early June.
The wave of support it has garnered signals its significance as a potential transformative zoning reform in California.
Advocates believe that SB 79 plays a crucial role in aligning the state’s housing production goals with its long-term climate resilience aspirations.
“California’s housing and transit systems are interconnected,” Senator Wiener concluded.
“It’s time we start planning like it.”
image source from：davisvanguard
