Plan to let churches, hospitals, and other nonprofit groups develop affordable housing more easily takes shape in California

Lawmakers in California are working on a new measure that could grant churches, nursing homes, hospitals, and nonprofit entities the ability to build affordable housing on their properties without needing a change in zoning. 

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the measure, known as SB-899, was introduced this week by California State Senator Scott Wiener, the Bay Area legislator responsible for spearheading the controversial SB-50 proposal that failed earlier this year. 

In part, the text of the bill reads, "This bill would require that a housing development project be a use by right upon the request of a nonprofit hospital, nonprofit diagnostic or treatment center, nonprofit rehabilitation facility, nonprofit nursing home, or religious institution that partners with a qualified developer on any land owned in fee simple by the applicant if the development satisfies specified criteria."

Among the stipulations the bill makes are that 100% of the units be "restricted to lower inc...