Dear Member and Supporter,

Senate Bill 79 has passed the California Senate by a razor-thin margin and is now headed to the State Assembly, where it will face a full vote. Our Assemblypersons must hear from us! 

The bill would allow private developers to build dense apartment buildings between four to seven stories near transit stops, regardless of local development restrictions. Axios San Diego reports that: “This bill represents the most significant attempt to supercharge dense homebuilding is closer than ever to passage.”

SB 79 is one of the most dangerous housing bills California has seen. It does not require affordable housing, offers no community benefit, and removes the public’s right to participate in decisions that affect our neighborhoods.

Why SOHO Opposes SB 79:

• Historic Resources Are at Risk. SB 79 contains no protections for federal, state, or locally designated historic resources.It fast-tracks demolition in neighborhoods near transit corridors—including many of San Diego’s historic areas.
• Local Planning is Ignored. SB 79 overrides local zoning and planning efforts.
• Affordability is Undermined. The bill incentivizes the destruction of older, more affordable homes—often in culturally diverse, long-established and historic communities—to make way for luxury mid-rises.
• Preservation is Excluded. SB 79 completely disregards the preservation laws and tools that protect California’s cultural and architectural legacy.

San Diego County Assembly Members Who Need to Hear From You:

• District 80: David Alvarez
• District 77: Tasha Boerner
• District 74: Laurie Davies
• District 75: Carl DeMaio
• District 76: Dr. Darshana R. Patel
• District 79: Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins
• District 78: Christopher Ward

WHAT YOU CAN DO- TAKE ACTION

Enter your California address to find your State Senate and Assembly representatives.

https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/

We must urge Assemblymembers to amend or oppose SB 79 now.

Contact your Assemblymember NOW.

Call and email.Tell them to oppose SB 79 unless it is amended to exempt historic resources and allow for true local planning input.

Let your San Diego Representative and Sacramento know: San Diego and California’s future should not come at the cost of our past. Help us preserve the places that make our communities livable, affordable, and unique—before it’s too late.

Letter Example: Copy and paste the text, adding your representative’s name and your own—or use the talking points in this alert to craft your own message.

Subject: Oppose or Amend SB 79

Dear Assemblymember [Last Name],

I’m writing as a concerned constituent to ask that you oppose SB 79 unless it’s amended to protect historic neighborhoods and give our cities more say in how and where new housing is built.

I support creating affordable housing near transit, but SB 79 goes too far. It allows large, six-story buildings in single-family areas, overrides local planning, and threatens designated historic resources—some of the most affordable and culturally valuable homes we have.

SB 79 puts at risk designated historic properties at every level—federal, state, and local—by overriding existing protections and enabling by-right upzoning near transit. While we recognize the need for housing this bill does not provide an effective or responsible path forward.  Our historic homes will be demolished with little public oversight.

SB 79 removes the public’s right to participate in decisions that impact our neighborhoods. As my representative, are you okay with that?

Without changes, SB 79 will hurt our neighborhoods and our heritage. Please stand with your constituents and demand responsible, balanced housing policies.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Your Address or Neighborhood