Bill > SB340

This bill modifies California's housing element requirements and emergency shelter definitions to provide more clarity and support for addressing housing needs, particularly for homeless populations. Specifically, the bill expands the definition of emergency shelters to include all services provided onsite, including the ability to add or expand services that meet certain objective standards. It requires local governments to identify zoning designations that allow emergency shelters as a permitted use and provide sites with sufficient capacity to accommodate the local homeless population. The bill mandates that emergency shelters can only be subject to specific written, objective standards related to aspects like bed capacity, parking, onsite management, and security. Additionally, the bill updates the definition of emergency shelter in state law to remove the term "minimal" when describing supportive services, potentially signaling a more comprehensive approach to shelter services. By imposing these requirements, the bill aims to make it easier for local governments to develop and support emergency shelter options while providing more structured guidelines for shelter development and operation.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB340