Legislative Update - July 16, 2026

21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Becomes Law

This historic package represents the largest federal action on housing policy in decades. The new law focuses intently on using sustainable policy solutions to address our nation’s longstanding housing affordability and undersupply crisis. At a high level, this landmark act will help boost supply and ease affordability challenges by:

1. Modernizing key federal housing programs,

2. Reducing barriers to development and

3. Encouraging the production and preservation of more housing nationwide.

Click here to learn more.

Related article: San Diego leaders applaud major housing affordability bill, but say there’s still more work to do

National City Business License Tax – Special Meeting on July 21

The National City Council is holding a special hearing to discuss the recent Business License Tax Measure proposal. The meeting on July 21 is scheduled for 3 p.m. Rental housing providers are encouraged to attend and share their concerns with this increased cost burden. Rental owners already pay a Business License Tax based on a flat fee and a tiered gross receipts model. SCRHA is opposed to the proposal, which would apply a .3% rate on annual rent gross receipts and nearly triple the amount housing providers currently pay. At the time of writing this, the agenda had not been posted. Make sure you are signed up for SCRHA Action Alerts to get more information once meeting materials are available.

ICYMI:

• Southern California rent inflation falls to 5-year low

• SoCal businesses lose fight over gas-powered appliances

• Water-saving San Diegans’ bills won’t go up as steeply as feared. Here’s why.

• Bills limiting housing development fees aims to make San Diego housing more affordable

• Garden-Style Apartments Go for $78M in North County San Diego

• The regressive effects of St. Paul’s rent control policy

• California rental ads would have to disclose if pictures used AI, under new bill