Days after they reached a rare deal between affordable housing advocates and labor unions, California lawmakers on Monday approved two significant bills that would guarantee livable wages on projects to convert underutilized commercial buildings into housing.
Senate Bill 6 and Assembly Bill 2011 represent a potentially major shift in the Capitol, where agreements between the state's powerful labor organizations and advocates for a more robust housing supply are notoriously difficult to negotiate.
Both bills would incentivize and expedite housing construction in commercial corridors traditionally reserved for big-box stores or office buildings close to city services, a way to prevent sprawling development. The legislation now goes to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his consideration.
