California bill aims to speed up tiny homes amid homelessness and housing crisis

(FOX40.COM) — New legislation in California is seeking to speed up the production of temporary tiny homes amid the state’s housing and homelessness crisis.

Senate Bill 1395 or the Interim Housing Act , was introduced by Senator Josh Becker who said it would speed up the construction of tiny homes across California due to them being exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act . CEQA is a set of laws that is said to protect the environment, but also delay or block new construction on housing.

“It’s shelter. It’s getting people off the streets,” Becker said. “People are dying in large numbers on our streets and being assaulted in large numbers. They’re getting addicted to drugs on the streets and the key is to get them off the streets, quickly.”

Tiny homes are small but modern-looking facilities that consist of a bed, office space, WIFI, air conditioning, heating, and a roof over the heads of guests who stay there. California currently has over 2,000 of them.

Becker said he acknowledges that the tiny homes are not a permanent solution, but believes they can bring help to those who need it most. He was inspired to introduce the bill by some success stories.

“This right here, it changed my life,” said Alaniah Wiley, who was once unhoused and temporarily stayed in a tiny home. “That led me on my way to permanent housing and a j-o-b. Now I have a stable job, stable mental health. I have permanent housing. Tiny homes was the way to get there.”

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who has over 500 tiny homes in his city, backs the bill.

“Getting someone stabilized into a community with their own room, with onsite security, onsite services, a case manager, it can be transformative,” Mahan said. “The goal is to help people be more self-sufficient.”

SB 1395 has no formal opposition and is scheduled for the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thursday.

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