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We are advocates for affordable housing, so we recognize the critical need for housing for real people and not for developer profits. We also are committed to working with real housing advocates, not real estate lobbyists, to find effective solutions.
However, AB 2580 is not the answer. It is an unnecessary and counterproductive bill. See letter from leading historic preservation organizations.
What AB 2580 Will Do
- AB 2580 requires cities' housing elements to analyze historic preservation practices and assess how historic designations impact local housing needs.
- It mandates that the annual report list all historic designations from the past year on the National Register, California Register, or local registers, along with the status of any housing projects proposed for these designations.
Why We Oppose AB 2580
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Stigmatizes Historic Preservation: AB 2580 unfairly stigmatizes historic preservation and overlooks the cost-effectiveness of historic rehabilitation in providing and retaining affordable housing.
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Misunderstanding of Existing Programs: The bill reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of existing preservation programs and, as admitted by the bill sponsor, is the first step towards eroding protections for historic resources.
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No Evidence of Abuse: Proponents have stated that "tackling the abuse of historic preservation rules requires several steps, and AB 2580 is a crucial initial measure." However, the bill fails to provide any evidence of abuse of historic rules, offers no incentives, and does nothing to encourage housing.
Recent Legislative History
This bill is part of the State's continued onslaught over the past eight years of ineffective, one-size-fits-all housing bills that:
- Override local zoning laws
- Set cities up for failure, triggering the "Builder's Remedy"
- Remove neighborhood notification of housing projects
- Thwart communities' ability to appeal projects
- Water down local environmental reviews
Future Plans
Your involvement is critical as State legislators are passing more onerous and misguided bills that aim to:
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Remove historic resources preservation (AB 2580 is the first step)
- Weaken the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
- Reduce California coastline protections
Areas with historic resources often present lucrative opportunities for developers. AB 2580 argues that we are in a "crisis" and falsely claims that historic preservation is a significant part of the problem, ignoring factors like a declining population, high interest rates, and increased labor costs.
We urge opposition to AB 2580 and instead call for collaborative, thoughtful solutions that genuinely address affordable housing needs while preserving our historic resources.
Important Note: Historic designations can enhance housing development and maintenance by offering financial incentives, such as federal and state historic tax credits, property tax relief through the Mills Act, and the use of the California Historic Building Code. Approximately 40% of projects applying for federal historic tax credits are used to create or maintain housing. This number is likely to increase with additional financial support from the recently adopted California Historic Tax Credit. These incentives are crucial for making adaptive reuse projects, like those converting offices to housing, financially feasible and are only available to properties with historic designations.
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