Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act

California's Senate Bill 4 (SB4) presents a unique opportunity for faith-based institutions to address critical needs within their communities while potentially generating additional revenue and strengthening their own missions. According to University of California, Berkeley’s Terner Center for Housing Innovation, there are “171,749 acres of developable land owned by nonprofit colleges or faith-based organizations in the state.”

SB4 received resounding support from the California Senate, with a 33-2 vote in favor, and the California Assembly, which approved it by an impressive 73-1 vote. On November 11, 2023, California SB4 was signed into law by the governor.

SB4 can streamline the process for faith-based institutions to build affordable housing on their land.

• Faith-based institutions can now get their proposals for affordable housing projects approved through a faster and more efficient process. This means less red tape and bureaucracy, which can significantly reduce the time and cost of getting projects off the ground.
• By-right development: In certain cases, projects that meet specific criteria will be automatically approved, without the need for public hearings or discretionary approvals from local governments. This will significantly speed up the development of much-needed affordable housing.
• Increased affordable housing supply: Proponents of SB4 argue that it will lead to the construction of thousands of new units of affordable housing across the state. This could help to address the critical shortage of affordable housing that is a major challenge for many Californians.

We can help support your mission

RPM Team , is a turnkey project management organization that helps faith based institutions, cities, non-profits and private individuals unlock potential in their real estate projects. We are experts in lowering costs for affordable housing projects which leads to a better outcome in a shorter amount of time. RPM has delivered design and development solutions for mission driven organizations focused on expanding shelter for unhoused families and rehabilitating individuals with substance abuse problems.