(a) It is the policy of the state of California that lower income individuals residing in neighborhoods and communities experiencing significant displacement pressures and gentrification due to rapid growth or increasing housing prices need access to housing that is affordable and that assists those households in avoiding displacement. To the extent feasible and consistent with other state and federal laws, the low-income housing tax credit program and tax-exempt bonds for qualified residential rental properties defined under subsection (d) of Section 142 of the Internal Revenue Code used to create and preserve affordable housing may be used to support access to housing that would allow households facing or at risk of displacement to remain in the community.

(b) A local tenant preference adopted pursuant to this chapter is subject to the duty of public agencies to affirmatively further fair housing pursuant to Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 8899.50) of Division 1 of Title 2, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 12900) of Division 3 of Title 2), the Unruh Civil Rights Act (§ 51 of the Civil Code), the federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.), and any implementing regulations thereunder.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 660, Sec. 2. (SB 649) Effective January 1, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2033, pursuant to Sec. 7061.2.)