It was great to see so many new faces at our legislative briefing with Scott Wiener earlier this month! The conversation was rich, candid, and deeply rooted in the tough work of expanding housing opportunities in California.

Scott walked us through his multi-year battle to pass SB 79 — a landmark housing reform that legalizes higher-density, multi-family housing near major transit stops and overrides local zoning limits that have long restricted where homes can be built. SB 79 — officially titled the Abundant & Affordable Homes Near Transit Act — was signed into law by Governor Newsom in October 2025 and is set to take effect in mid-2026. The law aims to make it easier to build homes close to transit, boost housing supply, reduce traffic and emissions, and improve affordability statewide.

What made the briefing especially valuable was hearing how this work has unfolded over time. Scott shared personal stories from the years of negotiation, coalition-building, and political strategy it took to get SB 79 across the finish line. He talked about the challenges of balancing local concerns with statewide housing needs, and how pro-housing advocates, transit leaders, and legislative allies came together to make this ambitious reform a reality.

He also offered candid insights into what comes next, including the ongoing challenge of sustaining housing construction even during economic downturns — a theme he’s emphasized in other legislative efforts aimed at stabilizing and expanding production pipelines statewide.

This wasn’t just a policy session — it was a reminder of how persistent legislative effort, grounded in real-world housing needs, can move the needle when political will aligns with community support. We’re grateful to Scott for sharing his time and perspective, and to everyone who came out to listen and engage.

We’re already looking forward to hosting more conversations with elected officials in 2026. If you have topics you’re eager for us to explore — whether it’s more housing policy, transportation, climate resilience, or beyond — let us know via the contact channels below!