Wilson Introduces Bill to Promote Equity in Housing Access

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson introduces bill aimed at promoting equity and leveling the playing field for renters across California. With nearly 17 million individuals in the state classified as renters, constituting 44% of the population, access to safe, stable, and affordable housing remains a pressing issue.

The bill, AB 2785, addresses the significant financial hurdles faced by renters in California. Currently, over 52% of renters allocate more than 30% of their income towards rent, with 27% surpassing the 50% threshold. Furthermore, the median rent in California has surged by 35% since 2000, outpacing the modest 6% increase in renter household incomes during the same period.

Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson emphasized the critical importance of this legislation in promoting equity and fairness in the housing market. “As a state, we must take bold steps to level out the playing field and ensure that all Californians have access to affordable housing,” said Assemblywoman Wilson. “This bill is not just about housing; it’s about promoting equity for all individuals and families, regardless of their socioeconomic status or background.”

“AB 2785 marks a crucial milestone in California’s ongoing efforts to promote fairness and equity in the rental market,” said Xenia Vidal, Campaign Manager for Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and Legislative Fellow with The Dr. Beatriz María Solís Policy Institute. “By addressing systemic disparities in rental practices, this bill not only enhances transparency but also creates a more level playing field for renters statewide. It’s a significant step towards ensuring that every Californian has access to affordable and secure housing options.”

AB 2785 targets this crisis head-on by introducing crucial reforms to rental application fees and security deposit management. This bill will cut down on renters’ application fee expenses and require landlords to place a tenant’s security deposit in a regulated financial institution, ensuring that this account exists solely to maintain funds from security deposits. Furthermore, the bill makes clear that any interest collected on a tenant’s security deposit belongs to the tenant.

Access to safe and affordable housing intersects deeply with racial and reproductive justice, impacting health, familial well-being, and community resilience. Black and Latinx renters face stark disparities in the rental process, submitting nearly twice as many applications and paying higher median fees compared to white renters. LGBTQ+ renters also encounter disproportionate financial barriers, exacerbating housing inequities.

The introduction of this bill represents a significant step towards addressing systemic challenges in the housing market and promoting equity for all Californians. By eliminating financial barriers and ensuring transparency in the rental process, the state can create a more equitable and inclusive housing market.

Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson was elected in April 2022 to represent California’s 11th Assembly District which includes all of Solano County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties. The District includes the Cities of: Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield, Oakley, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville and Vallejo.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 2785, as introduced, Wilson. Tenancy: application fees and security deposits.

Existing law regulates the terms and conditions of residential tenancies, including authorizing a landlord to hold security for any tenant who is a party to the lease or agreement, subject to specified requirements. Existing law defines security as any payment, fee, deposit, or charge that is imposed, as specified, to reimburse the landlord for costs associated with processing a new tenant or that is imposed as an advance payment of rent, used for any purpose. Existing law authorizes a landlord to claim any of the security in the amount reasonably necessary for the above-described purposes. Existing law requires the landlord to, among other things, return any remaining portion of the security to the tenant.

This bill would require a landlord to, within 30 days of receiving a tenant’s security, deposit the sum into an account of a bank or other financial institution regulated by the state or federal government, subject to specified requirements, including that any balance originating from the security that remains in the account after reimbursement to the landlord as described above, including interest accrued on that balance, is payable to the tenant, as specified.

Existing law authorizes a landlord or their agent to charge an applicant an application screening fee, as defined, to cover the costs of obtaining information about the applicant, including personal reference checks and consumer credit reports, as specified, when they receive a request to rent a residential property from an applicant. Existing law prohibits the

application screening fee charged by the landlord from exceeding $30 per applicant, and authorizes the landlord to adjust the fee annually, as specified. Existing law requires the landlord to return any amount of the screening fee that is not used for the above-described purposes if the landlord or their agent does not perform a personal reference check or does not obtain a consumer report.

This bill would, instead, prohibit the above-described application screening fee from exceeding $50 per applicant, and remove the provision authorizing the landlord to adjust the application screening fee annually. The bill would also require the landlord to return any amount of the screening fee if the landlord does not select the applicant for tenancy or if the fee collected exceeds the above-described amount. The bill would require the landlord to include in all tenancy application forms a clear provision that notifies prospective applicants of a refund policy, as specified.

Other bills introduced by Wilson

March 18 – Bill Would Allow Cities to Increase Sales Tax Beyond California Cap
Feb 6 – Assemblywoman Wilson Introduces “Best Value Contracting” Bill

Why would the CSEA Chapter 85 not respond or provide any proof of a vote? Seems suspect to me. If…

I bet the EBT won't add this information to their one sided story from May 10th.

Haha Long. Live. Kenny.

Drugs in the so-called "victim's" system. Case closed. Immediately absolve the blameless LE Officers. Arrest and charge/condemn the ambulance chasing…