SB 1227 (Skinner) Will Help Student Housing

Track the progress of this bill here.

SB 1227 would increase the production of affordable housing for California’s college students by providing developers with a 35 percent density bonus for new student housing developments.  Read LAEDC’s support letter below.


April 2, 2018

The Honorable Nancy Skinner
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 2059
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: SB 1227 (Skinner) Density Bonuses for Student Housing – SUPPORT

Dear Senator Skinner,

On behalf of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, I’d like to thank you for introducing SB 1227 (Skinner).

SB 1227 would increase the production of affordable housing for California’s college students by providing developers with a 35 percent density bonus for new student housing developments. The bonus would apply to developments used exclusively for housing students enrolled full-time at a Western Association of Schools and Colleges-accredited college or university, and would require developers to reserve 20 percent of beds for lower income students. In addition, the bill would exempt qualifying projects from vehicular parking ratios.

California’s housing crisis has placed unprecedented burdens on communities across California, including the students that represent California’s future. Across the community college, California State University, and University of California systems, over 750,000 students experience housing insecurity or homelessness. Students represent a unique housing market whose needs are fundamentally different than non-students. For example, students are often carless, have no income, and share communal amenities. However, existing law does not distinguish between student and non-student housing, and student housing projects are often subjected to local government regulations intended for non-student housing. These regulations add unnecessary costs which, in aggregate, make student housing more expensive than necessary and add to California’s overall housing shortage.

For these reasons and more, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to support, SB 1227. Thank you for your leadership, and for considering our views.

 

Sincerely,

Bill Allen
Chief Executive Officer
Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation


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