California Senate approves homelessness, housing bill

The California Senate has approved what some lawmakers have called a carrot-and-stick approach to the state's housing crunch.

The bill would set aside $650 million to address homelessness while incentivizing housing projects meeting certain criteria.

The legislation also waives some of the regulations for opening homeless shelters at a time when plans for new facilities have gotten bogged down by red tape.

But the bill also sets up a process to punish cities that consistently flout the state's housing policies.

Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration took one city to court earlier this year over housing. City governments, however, have raised concerns about losing control of local policies.

The bill approved emerged as a sort of compromise. It still needs Assembly approval.

The legislation is Assembly Bill 101.