AB-590
Housing & Homelessness

Social Housing Bond Act of 2026.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a $950 million bond program to fund publicly-owned, mixed-income social housing developments.
  • Creates the California Housing Authority to develop and manage affordable housing units statewide.
  • Requires voter approval in November 2026 to authorize the bond funding.
  • Establishes a zero-interest loan fund to construct housing for mixed-income residents.

Summary

Assembly Member Lee proposes establishing a $950 million social housing program through a voter-approved bond measure aimed at expanding California's affordable housing stock. The legislation would create the California Housing Authority to develop and manage publicly-owned, mixed-income housing developments across the state.

The measure establishes strict requirements for social housing developments, mandating public ownership, mixed-income occupancy, and permanent affordability protections. Residents would receive enhanced tenant protections, including safeguards against arbitrary eviction, and would participate in property management decisions. The housing units could not be sold to private entities.

If approved by voters in November 2026, the bonds would fund a new Social Housing Revolving Loan Fund providing zero-interest construction financing for mixed-income developments. The California Housing Authority would oversee bond issuance and program implementation, with a mandate to help jurisdictions meet regional housing needs assessment targets. The authority would operate on a revenue-neutral basis, with bond repayment secured through state revenue collections.

The proposal responds to data showing over 40% of California households spend more than 30% of income on housing, while most jurisdictions have not met affordable housing production goals. The bill requires immediate implementation to allow sufficient preparation time before the 2026 bond election.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Housing and Community Development
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Housing and Community Development
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Alex LeeD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 12 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Alex LeeD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Joe PattersonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Anamarie FariasD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Alex Lee
Alex LeeD
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/12/2025)

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a $950 million bond program to fund publicly-owned, mixed-income social housing developments.
  • Creates the California Housing Authority to develop and manage affordable housing units statewide.
  • Requires voter approval in November 2026 to authorize the bond funding.
  • Establishes a zero-interest loan fund to construct housing for mixed-income residents.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Alex Lee
Alex LeeD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Lee proposes establishing a $950 million social housing program through a voter-approved bond measure aimed at expanding California's affordable housing stock. The legislation would create the California Housing Authority to develop and manage publicly-owned, mixed-income housing developments across the state.

The measure establishes strict requirements for social housing developments, mandating public ownership, mixed-income occupancy, and permanent affordability protections. Residents would receive enhanced tenant protections, including safeguards against arbitrary eviction, and would participate in property management decisions. The housing units could not be sold to private entities.

If approved by voters in November 2026, the bonds would fund a new Social Housing Revolving Loan Fund providing zero-interest construction financing for mixed-income developments. The California Housing Authority would oversee bond issuance and program implementation, with a mandate to help jurisdictions meet regional housing needs assessment targets. The authority would operate on a revenue-neutral basis, with bond repayment secured through state revenue collections.

The proposal responds to data showing over 40% of California households spend more than 30% of income on housing, while most jurisdictions have not met affordable housing production goals. The bill requires immediate implementation to allow sufficient preparation time before the 2026 bond election.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/12/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Housing and Community Development
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Housing and Community Development
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Alex LeeD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 12 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Alex LeeD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Joe PattersonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Anamarie FariasD
Assemblymember
Committee Member