Carpenters Union Endorses Senator Wiener’s SB 50, the More HOMES Act

Sacramento –  Today, the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council, which represents over 35,000 union carpenters throughout Northern California, announced its support for Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) SB 50, the More HOMES Act. 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.

California has a 3.5 million home deficit, equals to the housing deficit of the other 49 states combined. California ranks 49 out of 50 states in homes per capita. Since the early 1960s, California population has almost tripled, while its housing production has declined by about 2/3.

“We are proud to endorse Senator Wiener’s SB 50,” said Augie Beltran, Director of Public and Governmental Affairs for the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council. “Our members and their families feel first-hand the impact of California’s housing crisis as they see their rent costs rise and their commutes increase. We need more housing for working families and individuals, and SB 50 will help ensure we are able to build that housing in an environmentally sustainable and equitable way.”

“Working families are deeply impacted by California’s extreme housing shortage,” said Senator Wiener. “Our housing shortage is forcing people into multi-hour commutes, pushing people into poverty and homelessness, and threatening our economy and environment. SB 50 will make housing more available and affordable for California residents.” 

SB 50 is also supported by the California Labor Federation, the California Chamber of Commerce, the State Building and Construction Trades Council, the California League of Conservation Voters, AARP California, the UC Student Association, the Natural Resources Defense Council, CALPIRG, Environment California, Habitat for Humanity, the San Francisco Housing Action Coalition, the California Renters Legal Advocacy and Education Fund (CaRLA), the California Apartment Association, and a host of other renter, business, and labor organizations. It is sponsored by California YIMBY, the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California, and the California Association of Realtors.

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, and Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs.

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