A coalition of more than 100 organizations across California has joined efforts supporting the Building an Affordable California Act, a statewide ballot initiative aimed at accelerating approvals for housing and infrastructure projects while reducing construction delays and rising development costs.
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The measure, known as Affordable CA, has gained support from business groups, affordable housing advocates, healthcare providers, clean energy organizations, agricultural associations and civil rights leaders, according to a May 6 announcement from the California Chamber of Commerce.
Supporters say the initiative seeks to modernize California’s project approval process by establishing clearer timelines, improving accountability and cutting years off project delivery schedules for housing, transportation, water, energy and public facility developments.
“This growing coalition sends a clear message: Californians are ready to build the essential infrastructure we need to lower our cost of living and improve our quality of life,” said Jennifer Barrera, president and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce. “Californians depend on essential projects every day. Affordable CA will help us deliver those projects faster, more affordably, and with the accountability communities deserve.”
Backers of the measure claim some projects in California face delays of up to a decade because of lengthy permitting and review processes that contribute to escalating construction costs and project uncertainty.
The coalition supporting the measure includes organizations representing housing, healthcare, clean energy, water infrastructure and labor interests. Advocates argue that streamlining approvals is necessary to address California’s affordability crisis and growing infrastructure demands.
“California’s affordability crisis hits historically underserved neighborhoods hardest, driving up housing costs, delaying investment, and putting essential services further out of reach,” said Rick Callender, president of the NAACP California/Hawaii State Conference. “Affordable CA will help break down barriers that keep communities waiting and deliver the infrastructure that our state needs faster and more affordably.”
Housing advocates also pointed to ongoing challenges in delivering affordable residential developments amid rising construction costs and financing pressures.
“California’s housing affordability crisis is being made worse by seemingly never-ending delays,” said Jenna Abbott, executive director of the California Council for Affordable Housing. “When affordable housing takes years to approve, costs rise, financing becomes harder to secure, and fewer homes get built. Affordable CA will help create a clearer, faster path to delivering the affordable housing Californians urgently need.”
Healthcare leaders supporting the initiative said delays in construction approvals can directly affect hospital expansions and patient access.
“Californians expect and deserve to receive hospital care in modern, safe facilities and delays in construction projects mean longer wait times, reduced access to care and, ultimately, higher healthcare costs for all,” said Carmela Coyle, president and CEO of the California Hospital Association. “Affordable CA will help reduce unnecessary construction delays so that hospitals and medical offices can expand capacity, improve patient access, and deliver care more affordably.”
Supporters submitted nearly 1 million voter signatures last week in an effort to qualify the initiative for California’s November 2026 ballot, nearly double the number required for qualification.
According to the California Chamber of Commerce, the measure would apply to projects involving housing, transportation infrastructure, hospitals, schools, clean energy, water systems, broadband and wildfire prevention efforts.
Backers emphasized that the proposal would not eliminate California Environmental Quality Act requirements or public review opportunities. Instead, they say the initiative would maintain environmental protections while setting clearer deadlines and reducing procedural delays.
“The Building an Affordable California Act is a major opportunity for California to accelerate clean energy, strengthen grid reliability, and lower costs for families,” said Alex Jackson, executive director of American Clean Power – California. “We’re proud to join such a broad coalition united around building a cleaner, more affordable, and more prosperous California.”
The measure is expected to remain a major topic of debate among construction, environmental and labor stakeholders leading up to the 2026 election.
Originally reported by By CalChamber in Advocacy
