BILL ANALYSIS SB 812 Page 1 Date of Hearing: August 4, 2010 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Felipe Fuentes, Chair SB 812 (Ashburn) - As Amended: June 28, 2010 Policy Committee: Local GovernmentVote:9-0 Housing and Community Development 8-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: Yes SUMMARY This bill requires that the special housing needs analyses currently conducted by cities and counties include specific analysis of the needs of the developmentally disabled. FISCAL EFFECT 1)Unknown, probably moderate costs to local governments to expand analyses in their housing elements to cover housing needs of developmentally disabled individuals. Added costs are likely to be modest for individual agencies to the extent they can rely on information from the Department of Developmental Services regional centers and other facilities for their analysis. 2)Although this bill provides for reimbursement to local agencies if the Commission on State Mandates (CSM) determines the bill contains state-mandated costs, CSM likely would not approve a claim for reimbursement because local entities have the authority to charge fees for planning costs, including costs associated with housing element requirements. COMMENTS 1)Background . Existing law requires that each city and county adopt a general plan for its jurisdiction that contains certain mandatory elements, including a housing element. The housing element consists of an identification and analysis of existing and projected housing needs of the community, and a statement of goals, policies, quantified objectives, financial SB 812 Page 2 resources, and scheduled programs for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing. The housing element is also required to include an analysis of any special housing needs in the community, such as those of the elderly, persons with disabilities, large families, farmworkers, families with female heads of households, and families and persons in need of emergency shelter. This makes it explicit that the analysis of needs of persons with disabilities should include the needs of those with a developmental disability, as defined in Section 4512 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. 2)Rationale . According to the author, there is a critical lack of affordable housing in California for individuals with developmental disabilities - one of the most vulnerable and economically challenged groups of individuals in California. The author asserts that, in order to prepare for the housing needs of tens of thousands of independent young adults with developmental disabilities who are transitioning into the community, California will need to accurately assess and understand the needs of this population. 3)Opposition. The League of California Cities states that the bill imposes a new mandate on cities when they can least afford it. The League notes that city planning departments, in particular, have been affected by staff reductions, and as a result, local agencies do not have the resources to implement new planning mandates at this time. Additionally, the bill could establish a precedent for other groups with special housing needs to propose specific consideration without evidence that their needs for housing differ significantly from other special-needs populations. Analysis Prepared by : Brad Williams / APPR. / (916) 319-2081