On October 9, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom continued his tour of signing a series of bills tackling the state’s housing affordability crisis. Modative Co-Founder Christian Návar commenced the governor’s visit with a tour of their most recent Los Angeles Garage Conversion Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) project in collaboration with United Dwelling. Since its inception, the ADU concept developed by United Dwelling has been met with great reception from state legislators and qualified homeowners.
Governor Newsom shakes hands with Modative Co-Founder Christian Návar while meeting homeowner Felicia Smith and United Dwelling CEO Steven Dietz. Photo courtesy of @CAgovernor
In partnership with United Dwelling, Modative is working on a new venture where our team builds small ADUs in people’s backyards. It’s an innovative concept where United Dwelling will lease the land from the homeowner, build the ADU, find a tenant, and then provide the homeowner with a portion of the rent collected each month. The ADU would belong to the homeowner at the end of the lease term and they can buy it out at any time. For the last 13 years, we've been focused on adding small-footprint units to LA's housing stock. Our design and construction of these United Dwelling ADUs upholds the firm's commitment to making a dent in California's housing deficit.
Governor Newsom sits down to sign new ADU bills into law. Photo courtesy of @CAgovernor
The governor signed a series of bills, including AB-68. This bill will permit companies like United Dwelling to remove older existing garages and replace them with a new standardized ADU designed and constructed by Modative. This standardized design will help reduce costs and provide a more environmentally-friendly solution. The participation of Governor Newsom and key lawmakers in creating ADU-favorable laws speaks to the state's commitment to finding solutions to California’s housing crisis.
Governor Newsom meets with Modative team members Eslie Taylor and Brandon Redd. Photo courtesy of @CAgovernor
Gov. Newsom was joined by several state legislators: Assemblymember Phil Ting (author of AB-68), Senator Nancy Skinner, Assemblymember David Chiu, Senator Steven Bradford, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, Senator Bob Wieckowski, and Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager-Dove.
In the next few months we will be providing updates on these new ADU laws going into effect in 2020. Stay tuned!
Christian Návar and homeowner Felicia Smith give Governor Newsom a tour of the under construction ADU. Photo courtesy of @CAgovernor
Here are some links to coverage of the event:
Broadcast/Radio
KABC-LA (ABC)- Eyewitness News 5PM
NBC: Governor Signs Bill to Tackle California's Housing Crisis
CBS LA: Assemblymember Discusses New Housing Laws
ABC 7: Newsom stops in LA, signs bills addressing housing crisis in California
KTLA 5: Newsom Signs New Law to Speed Housing Construction Across California
Online/Print
LA Times: How lawmakers are upending the California lifestyle to fight a housing shortage
USA Newsposts: Gov. Newsom signs ‘Housing Crisis Act of 2019’ aimed at speeding up homebuilding
US News: New California Laws Aim to Speed Housing Construction
Santa Monica Daily Press: Bill to remove barriers to ADU construction signed into law
Sacramento Bee: Gavin Newsom signs granny flat, housing density laws that target California cities
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom: Governor Gavin Newsom Signs 18 Bills to Boost Housing Production
Office of Senator Nancy Skinner: Gov. Newsom Signs SB 330, “Housing Crisis Act of 2019”
SF Chronicle: California housing: New laws aim to make it easier to build