Newsom OK’s more housing near rail stations

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed the Abundant & Affordable Homes Near Transit Act that will allow more home to be built near transit stations.

Senate Bill 79,  which Newsom signed Oct. 10, permits taller and higher-density multifamily housing within a half-mile radius of some transit stops, including commuter rail, heavy rail, light rail, and bus rapid transit lines, according to multiple reports.

Housing may reach up to nine stories next to heavy rail or high-frequency transit stations, know as Tier One locations.

Housing will be limited to four stories at the furthest point from a station.

“For too long, California has poured billions of dollars into transit without building the housing density needed for those systems to reach their potential,” Newsom said in a statement. “SB 79 helps change that by (developing) more homes near rail stations, boosting ridership, cutting traffic and pollution, and expanding access to jobs, schools, and services.’