SB-21
Housing & Homelessness

Single-room occupancy units: demolition and replacement: housing assistance programs: eligibility for homeless individuals and families.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Allows cities to reduce required replacement units when converting single-room occupancy buildings to larger units.
  • Requires converted units to remain affordable for at least 55 years with recorded covenants.
  • Mandates displaced residents receive relocation benefits and first right of return to new units.
  • Expands eligibility for homeless individuals to access replacement units without referral requirements.

Summary

Senator Durazo's housing legislation modifies California's requirements for rehabilitating and replacing single-room occupancy (SRO) buildings while maintaining protections for low-income tenants. The bill permits local jurisdictions to reduce the number of required replacement units when converting SRO buildings to studio apartments or larger units, provided specific conditions are met.

Under the proposal, unit reductions must be necessary to accommodate private bathrooms, kitchens, community rooms, or accessibility improvements. Converted units must remain rental properties with rents at or below the previous SRO rates for at least 55 years. Displaced residents receive a right of first refusal for replacement units, with initial rents capped at 5% above their previous rates. The total reduction in SRO units cannot exceed 25% unless additional units are replaced one-for-one at another location within the same community.

The legislation also establishes new eligibility criteria for individuals displaced from rehabilitated SRO buildings. Residents who were homeless upon initial occupancy, receive homeless services, or transfer from an SRO building undergoing conversion qualify for replacement housing without requiring referrals through coordinated entry systems. Property owners must submit detailed replacement housing plans before receiving demolition or conversion permits, including documentation of current occupancy, rent levels, and timelines for making replacement units available.

Local jurisdictions retain authority to enforce stricter requirements for demolition restrictions, unit replacement, or relocation assistance. The bill's provisions regarding eligibility for replacement housing require separate legislative funding for implementation.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 447
Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Local Government]
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB21 Durazo
Senate Housing Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Housing Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Senate Local Government Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Local Government Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Housing]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 11 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan CarrilloD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Maria Durazo
Maria DurazoD
California State Senator
Co-Author
Ash Kalra
Ash KalraD
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/27/2025)

Latest Voting History

July 2, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
120012PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Allows cities to reduce required replacement units when converting single-room occupancy buildings to larger units.
  • Requires converted units to remain affordable for at least 55 years with recorded covenants.
  • Mandates displaced residents receive relocation benefits and first right of return to new units.
  • Expands eligibility for homeless individuals to access replacement units without referral requirements.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Maria Durazo
Maria DurazoD
California State Senator
Co-Author
Ash Kalra
Ash KalraD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Senator Durazo's housing legislation modifies California's requirements for rehabilitating and replacing single-room occupancy (SRO) buildings while maintaining protections for low-income tenants. The bill permits local jurisdictions to reduce the number of required replacement units when converting SRO buildings to studio apartments or larger units, provided specific conditions are met.

Under the proposal, unit reductions must be necessary to accommodate private bathrooms, kitchens, community rooms, or accessibility improvements. Converted units must remain rental properties with rents at or below the previous SRO rates for at least 55 years. Displaced residents receive a right of first refusal for replacement units, with initial rents capped at 5% above their previous rates. The total reduction in SRO units cannot exceed 25% unless additional units are replaced one-for-one at another location within the same community.

The legislation also establishes new eligibility criteria for individuals displaced from rehabilitated SRO buildings. Residents who were homeless upon initial occupancy, receive homeless services, or transfer from an SRO building undergoing conversion qualify for replacement housing without requiring referrals through coordinated entry systems. Property owners must submit detailed replacement housing plans before receiving demolition or conversion permits, including documentation of current occupancy, rent levels, and timelines for making replacement units available.

Local jurisdictions retain authority to enforce stricter requirements for demolition restrictions, unit replacement, or relocation assistance. The bill's provisions regarding eligibility for replacement housing require separate legislative funding for implementation.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/27/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 447
Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Local Government]
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB21 Durazo
Senate Housing Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Housing Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Senate Local Government Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Local Government Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Housing]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

July 2, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
120012PASS

Contacts

Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 11 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan CarrilloD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Committee Member