Tenants, cities and nonprofits get more say about empty California homes under this plan

Corporations that own California properties could soon be fined for keeping homes vacant for more than three months under a proposed law to give tenants, nonprofits and cities more say over what happens to empty buildings.

Senate Bill 1079 would allow local officials to adopt ordinances to fine “in an unspecified amount” corporations and companies that leave residential buildings vacant for more than 90 days. The money would then have to be used for “homeless diversion, rental assistance and other affordable housing purposes.”

The proposal also permits cities and counties to buy or take over a company’s residential property if it’s been vacant for at least 90 days. The local agency would then have to maintain the home and rent it at an affordable price to “families of low or moderate income” or sell it to a community land trust or housing sponsor, according to the bill language.

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