Bill > AB1296

This bill requires the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to create a new online form by January 1, 2027, allowing local educational agencies (such as school districts, community college districts, and university systems) to notify the department about their interest in using their own real property for housing projects. The department must review these submissions and make the information publicly available on its website. Additionally, the bill mandates that HCD provide technical assistance to these educational agencies seeking to develop housing, with assistance that can include guidance on legal requirements, funding sources, project feasibility, regulatory processes, and partnership models. The technical assistance will be advisory in nature and can be provided directly by the department or through qualified third-party contractors. The bill specifically prioritizes technical assistance for educational agencies serving high-need student populations or located in areas with high housing costs or educator staffing shortages. Importantly, the bill clarifies that HCD's assistance does not create a legal attorney-client relationship and the department will not be liable for any damages or obligations incurred by the educational agencies during their housing development efforts.

Budget and Finance, Education, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1296