Existing law requires cities to allow an increased density bonus for affordable housing on property owned by a religious organization; however, this proposal reduces the statutory unit requirement by eighty percent but allows cities to require more.

HB 1859, sponsored by Rep. Osman Salahuddin (D–Redmond), makes the following changes:

• To qualify for a density bonus, affordable housing developed on property owned by a religious organization must maintain at least 20 percent of the development as affordable housing for low-income households. A planning city or county may establish policies to require a greater amount of affordable housing for a property to qualify for a density bonus.
• A fully planning city or county, or a city planning under the planning-enabling statutes, must develop policies to implement a density bonus if it receives a request from a religious organization.
• An entity leasing a property owned by a religious organization is eligible for the sales and use tax deferral for the conversion of a commercial building into affordable housing.

Date to remember

HB 1859 is scheduled for a committee vote in the House Housing Committee on Thursday, February 20 at 8 am.