SECTIONS 50890-50891.5 - California Statutes

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE

SECTION 50890-50891.5

50890. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) That in addition to the need for housing described in this
chapter as community housing developments, there is an additional
critical need for smaller scale congregate housing suitable to
single-parent households in which families share large, multibedroom
houses with common living areas and who share child care, cleaning,
cooking, and other household responsibilities.
(b) That congregate housing can be constructed or converted at
little more cost than conventional housing, and at less cost than
conventional apartment houses. The purposes of this housing can be
achieved through a combination of innovative and traditional designs,
including, but not limited to, the construction of "flexibility"
houses where only the exterior walls and those around the kitchen and
bathroom are permanent, or the use of large rooms with interior
sliding doors or screens to provide for personal or social spaces.
(c) That this type of housing can reduce reliance on public
assistance; increase self-reliance and joint problem solving; assist
single parents to obtain and keep employment; provide fulfilling
activity for elderly or handicapped persons; provide for more
economical use of housing stock; and ensure the use of scarce family
resources in a manner which maximizes the health, safety, and
development of children and younger single parents. Notwithstanding
all of these benefits, there are no public programs that assist in
the provision or financing of this housing, and private financing or
provision of this housing is almost nonexistent.

50891. In implementing this article, the department shall comply
with all of the following requirements:
(a) The department shall apply the requirements and priorities of
subdivisions (a), (b), and (e) of Section 50888.3 and Sections 50887
and 50889.5 in the selection of congregate housing developments for
funding.
(b) The procedural and substantive requirements of Article 4
(commencing with Section 50893) shall apply to congregate housing, to
the maximum extent feasible, as determined by the department, given
the nature of congregate housing.

50891.5. Each congregate housing development shall, to the maximum
extent feasible, as determined by the department, incorporate the
design, social, and economic development components of Sections
50888.5 to 50889, inclusive, considering the size, design, and
purpose of these units. These selection and occupancy criteria shall,
in addition, include an agreement by the residents to undertake
joint responsibility for maintenance and the social and economic
components of the housing. The department may require professional
management and maintenance of each project to supplement that
provided by the residents of the housing development.