A bill that would expand California Environmental Quality Act exemptions for certain supportive housing projects crossed a significant hurdle in the California Senate this week, earning unanimous support in the Environmental Quality Committee.

AB 1197, authored by Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), would ensure that state and local funding to build temporary and supportive housing projects could be spent more quickly and efficiently in the city of L.A.

“My district is home to the largest population of Californians experiencing homelessness in the entire state,” Santiago said. “We cannot solve this humanitarian crisis if the funding approved by voters and the legislature goes unspent. AB 1197 will free up our city to finally break ground on these critical housing projects.”

Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin, 11th District, added, “Our homelessness crisis has the same impact as a natural disaster, and it demands the same level of urgent response. I applaud Assemblyman Santiago for smart and necessary legislation that will help Los Angeles expedite the housing and shelter we need to get people off the streets.”

CEQA has been weaponized by various groups to fight the construction of badly needed shelters, temporary housing and supportive housing units. Their attacks can delay housing projects for a year or longer, compounding the crisis of homelessness in Los Angeles and beyond.

AB 1197 expands the current CEQA exemption until January 1, 2025, for permanent supportive housing projects that are approved or carried out by the city of Los Angeles and funded by Measure HHH and HEAP dollars.

The bill now heads to a vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee.