IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST | September 2020

Down Payment Assistance Programs: Building a Bridge to Home Ownership

With many households paying rent at levels comparable to a mortgage payment, more and more California cities and counties are finding programs to provide down payment assistance a valuable tool to promote homeownership.  We survey a range of programs and the funding strategies being used to make them work.

Navigating the Challenges Posed by SB 35

SB 35, effective since 2018, streamlined certain housing approvals by making them ministerial rather than discretionary and imposing strict deadlines on a city or county’s review. A number of housing projects have been approved using its process, but challenges remain, both in implementation and interpretation of this law.



Is Local Control of Affordable Housing Development Dead? The Answer is Unclear.

Charter cities enjoy greater autonomy over municipal affairs than general law cities. Recent state legislation limits charter cities’ ability to disapprove housing projects. Some charter cities are fighting back. Their success may depend on whether the state laws are narrowly tailored to address the affordable housing needs unique to each city.

Issue 19
In the Public Interest is Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP's regular e-newsletter of fresh, relevant, and useful legal information for public agencies.
An accessory dwelling unit above a garage in an Irving neighborhood.
An accessory dwelling unit above a garage in an Irving neighborhood.
An accessory dwelling unit above a garage in an Irving neighborhood.
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