HB 1377 would require cities to provide a density bonus for affordable housing built on property owned by religious organizations but would allow the city to determine the scale and scope of that bonus consistent with local needs. Local jurisdictions can develop policies after receiving a request for the density bonus. AWC and individual cities have been working with the faith community to try to find common ground on the proposals in this bill for many years. We testified in support of this proposal. The bill passed the Senate on Friday, April 12. It now goes back to the House for concurrence.
The amendment passed by the Senate Housing Stability & Affordability Committee makes the following changes to the bill:
- Requires that the affordable housing development must be set aside for, and occupied exclusively by, low income households for at least 50 years by lease or other binding legal obligation, even if the religious organization no longer owns the property;
- Encourages the religious organization developing affordable housing to work with the local transit agency to ensure appropriate services, if applicable; and
- Clarifies that the increased density bonus allowance applies to any religious organization rehabilitating an existing affordable housing development.