Housing.

Senator Wahab has introduced comprehensive housing legislation that transforms how California approaches housing development, tenant protections, and affordable housing preservation. The bill makes significant changes across multiple policy areas to address the state's housing crisis.

The legislation strengthens tenant protections by prohibiting landlords from charging fees beyond rent unless specifically listed in rental agreements and capping total additional fees at 5% of monthly rent. Landlords who collect unauthorized fees must repay them with 5% daily compound interest. The bill also reforms application screening fee requirements to cover only actual costs.

For housing development, the measure permanently extends key provisions that limit local agencies' ability to deny or delay housing projects, including the "builder's remedy" that allows increased density when jurisdictions lack a compliant housing element. It streamlines project reviews by mandating electronic permit submissions, limiting the number of public hearings, and deeming projects automatically approved if agencies miss review deadlines.

The bill enhances affordable housing preservation by funding seismic retrofitting of affordable multifamily properties, with priority for lower-income households. It also increases the renter's tax credit to $250-$500 for qualified renters from 2026-2031, contingent on budget appropriations.

To protect homeowners, the legislation establishes new requirements for mortgage servicers, including mandatory borrower communications and restrictions on foreclosure proceedings. It requires servicers to certify compliance with these provisions before initiating foreclosure.

The measure also reforms how regional housing needs are calculated and allocated, updates coastal development appeals processes, and makes various technical changes to strengthen housing accountability provisions. These reforms aim to accelerate housing production while protecting tenants and preserving affordable units.