More Major Environmental Organizations Endorse Senator Wiener’s SB 50, the More HOMES Act

San Francisco –  Today, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), CALPIRG, and Environment California announced their support for Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) SB 50, the More HOMES Act. They join the California League of Conservation Voters and other organizations in supporting the legislation. SB 50 eliminates hyper-low-density zoning near transit and job centers, thus legalizing apartment buildings and affordable housing in these locations so that more people can live near transit and near where they work. It also reduces or eliminates minimum parking requirements for new developments.

“SB 50 is designed to help ensure that California’s current and future housing needs are met in ways that address the soaring demand to live near public transportation and jobs, while assisting the state achieve our climate goals,” said Amanda Eaken, Director of the Transportation and Climate Program at Natural Resources Defense Council

"The societal benefits of transit-oriented neighborhoods are so great that state policy should incentivize, not prohibit, more and denser housing options near existing transit hubs and job centers,” said Emily Rusch, Executive Director at CALPIRG. “Giving more Californians the opportunity to live near their job and easy access to transit is better for our wellbeing and the wellbeing of the planet."

"Climate change is real, California is already experiencing its effects, and the best minds in the world are saying that the next twelve years are critical to staving off the worst impacts,” said Dan Jacobson, State Director at Environment California. “So let's roll up our sleeves in Sacramento and do the hard work of reshaping our lives. SB 50 starts a critical conversation about collectively rethinking where we choose to live and how we get around."

“To meet California’s climate goals, we must reform our approach to housing and legalize more housing near jobs and public transit,” said Senator Wiener. “It’s not sustainable to mandate low density zoning near jobs and transit. Doing so forces people into crushing commutes, covers up farmland and open space, clogs our freeways, and increases carbon emissions. These respected environmental organizations understand that if we are to reach our climate goals, we must make it easier for people to live close to where they work and near transit, to reduce vehicle miles traveled. I look forward to fighting for more sustainable and environmentally friendly housing policies alongside these great organizations.”

SB 50 is also supported by the State Building and Construction Trades Council, the California League of Conservation Voters, AARP California, 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 including San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has made positive statements regarding the direction of the bill.

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