HomeMy WebLinkAboutSB 1216 (Calbaldon) - Housing Leadership Designation - City of SLO - SUPPORTCity of San Luis Obispo, Office of the City Council, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3249, 805.781.7114,
slocity.org
April 15, 2026
The Honorable Jesse Arreguín
Chair, Senate Housing Committee
1021 O Street, Suite 3330
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Support for SB 1216 (Cabaldon): Planning and Zoning Law, Housing Leadership
Designation.
Dear Honorable Senator Arreguín and the Senate Housing Committee,
On behalf of the City of San Luis Obispo, I write to express our support for SB 1216
(Cabaldon), which establishes a Housing Leadership Designation Program to recognize and
reward jurisdictions that demonstrate exceptional housing production outcomes with
meaningful regulatory flexibility.
We support SB 1216 because it advances a practical, outcomes-based framework that aligns
state objectives with local implementation. For too long, California's housing laws have
treated all jurisdictions the same, rewarding compliance on paper while paying little
attention to whether homes are actually getting built. SB 1216 changes that by distinguishing
jurisdictions that are delivering real results and giving them the trust and discretion they
have earned.
The City of San Luis Obispo has identified Housing as a top priority for over the last ten years
and is actively finding ways to support more housing in our community. In 2024, we were
designated a “Prohousing City” by the State Department of Housing and Community
Development for our efforts to accelerate housing production across all income levels. We
look forward to continuing our leadership in advancing housing in San Luis Obispo and as a
leader for the rest of the State.
SB 1216's performance-based approach is particularly meaningful to us because it provides
an incentive structure that reinforces what effective jurisdictions are already working to
accomplish: increasing housing supply while maintaining strong planning standards and
community outcomes. By tying regulatory flexibility directly to demonstrated production,
the bill creates a constructive pathway for local governments to reduce friction and direct
resources toward housing delivery.
For these reasons, the City of San Luis Obispo is pleased to support SB 1216. Thank you for
your leadership in advancing solutions that recognize performance, encourage housing
production, and strengthen the partnership between the State and local jurisdictions.
Sincerely,
Erica A. Stewart
Mayor
City of San Luis Obispo
cc: Senator Christopher Cabaldon, (via Timothy.Knox@sen.ca.gov)
Members of the San Luis Obispo City Council
Senator John Laird
Assemblymember Dawn Addis
Dave Mullinax, League of California Cities
League of California Cities, cityletters@cacities.org