July 13, 2017 -- Bills sponsored by Santa Monica Assemblyman Richard Bloom to preserve affordable housing and create a new decal program for zero emission vehicles were approved by a key committee this week.

AB 1521, which passed out of the Senate Transportation & Housing Committee
on a 9-4 vote, requires owners of expiring affordable rental properties to accept market-rate purchase offers from "qualified preservation entities," Bloom's office said in a statement.

The new owner of the property must "intend to maintain" the affordability restrictions for multifamily rental properties of five or more units affordable to lower income households.

Both AB 544 and AB 1521 now head to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Read More:  https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2017/July-2017/07_13_2017_Two_Bills_Sponsored_by_Santa_Monica_Lawmaker_Win_Key_Committee_Approval.html