On Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed two landmark bills to expand housing solutions and boost stability for Californians facing homelessness. The new legislation facilitates the conversion of hotels and motels into emergency shelter beds. Additionally, it simplifies the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) across the state, marking a significant step in California’s efforts to address its ongoing housing crisis.

“The homelessness crisis demands immediate and innovative action, not the status quo. With these new laws, local governments have even more tools to provide housing. I urge them to fully utilize the state’s unprecedented resources to address homelessness,” said Governor Newsom.

The two bills signed into law were AB 2835 which removes the sunset date on tenancy rules that make it easier for service providers to place people experiencing homelessness into privately owned hotels and motels for more than 30 days and AB 3057 which will help streamline and jumpstart the process for local governments to permit and facilitate the construction of Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) to create more affordable living spaces throughout the state.

According to a press release by the Governor’s office, roughly 181,000 Californians experienced homelessness in 2023 with approximately 90,000 people in unsheltered conditions. With investments and support from the Governor, many local communities have worked towards solving unsheltered homelessness by using available space in hotels and motels to supplement available shelter beds.

“We need solutions to our homelessness crisis that are both compassionate and effective,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, who authored AB 2835. “AB 2835 will deliver on both fronts by providing much-needed stability to kids and families experiencing homelessness while also cutting red tape and saving taxpayer resources. I am proud to partner with Governor Newsom on this effort and appreciate his continued leadership.”

A shortage of affordable housing is a major factor contributing to homelessness in California, where many individuals who lose their homes are burdened by high rent and economic hardships, such as rising housing costs. To combat this issue, increasing the supply of affordable housing is a crucial element of the state’s strategy to help prevent homelessness and provide stability for those at risk.

“AB 3057 represents a small but significant technical change that offers Californians more accessible and efficient options to build affordable housing solutions,” said Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson, the author of AB 3057.

A JADU is a small living space that is part of an existing single-family home, typically created by converting part of the main house, like a bedroom or garage, into a separate, self-contained living area.

These bills come just months after the Supreme Court overturned their decision in the case of City of Grants Pass v. Johnson which ruled that the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment prevents cities from enforcing anti-camping ordinances against homeless individuals. 

A statement issued by Governor Newsom on June 28, the day of the ruling, claimed that previous decisions by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals have limited local government’s ability to effectively address the homelessness crisis. He noted that California’s officials have been tied up in lengthy legal battles, preventing even straightforward measures to clear encampments that pose health and safety risks. The rulings have left local authorities without clear guidance on what actions they can take to make areas occupied by unhoused individuals safer for everyone.

“California remains committed to respecting the dignity and fundamental human needs of all people and the state will continue to work with compassion to provide individuals experiencing homelessness with the resources they need to better their lives,” Governor Newsom stated.

Following that statement, Newsom released an executive order on July 25 directing state agencies to urgently address homeless encampments while respecting the dignity and safety of Californians experiencing homelessness.

“The City of Bakersfield supports Governor Newsom’s urgency to clear unsafe encampments in our city and across the state. We have ordinances, services, and enforcement teams in place. Bakersfield looks forward to working with state and local partners to encourage policies that will clear encampments with compassion and urgency,” said Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh.

On August 14, Governor Newsom also provided Kern County with funding via a Homekey grant to create permanent, supportive homes for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.