AARP California Announces Support for Senator Wiener’s SB 50—the More HOMES Act

Sacramento–Today, AARP California, the voice of over 3 million Californians over age 50, has signed on as a supporter of Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) Senate Bill 50 — the More HOMES Act — legislation designed to lead to abundant, affordable housing near transit, jobs, and services concentrated in urban areas. SB 50 eliminates hyper-low-density zoning near public transit and job centers, thus legalizing apartment buildings and affordable housing in these locations so that more people can live there. SB 50 will help make housing more affordable and reduce carbon emissions by allowing people to live closer to transit and job centers. SB 50 also reduces or eliminates minimum parking requirements for new developments.

“AARP members are increasingly drawn to our urban cores to enjoy the proximity of services and the walkability of our urban neighborhoods -- and we want to help ensure there are enough affordable housing options to accommodate them,” said Nancy McPherson, AARP California State Director. “But many older adults who can afford to stay in California are seeing family members, close friends, and caregivers leave the state due to the high cost of housing. We’re hopeful that the More HOMES Act will help correct this and provide more housing stability for Californians of all ages.”

“California’s housing crisis harms all of us, including older adults,” said Senator Wiener. “AARP’s endorsement of SB 50 recognizes the need to create more affordable housing near jobs, transit and vital services. SB 50 will help ensure that our older adults can remain housed close to friends and family, and to the services they need.”

For many older adults, the current housing crisis in California is an extreme burden. Recent research from the University of California, Los Angeles found that 78 percent of low-income older adults in California are “rent-burdened,” meaning they spend at least 30 percent of their income on housing – and more than 55 percent of low-income older adults spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing.

SB 50 is also supported by the State Building and Construction Trades Council, the California League of Conservation Voters, the California Apartment Association, Habitat for Humanity, the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California, the San Francisco Housing Action Coalition, the California Renters Legal Advocacy and Education Fund (CaRLA), and a host of other renter, business, and labor organizations. It also enjoys bi-partisan support from members of the Legislature and support from numerous mayors and city council members from around the state.

SB 50 was introduced on Dec 3, and will be set for a hearing in the coming months.

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