HAC ED Recap: Councilmember Tordillos on Clearing the Path for Housing in San José

On November 12th, HAC welcomed recently elected Councilmember Anthony Tordillos (San José) to our HAC-ED meeting. Councilmember Tordillos represents San José’s District 3 and has long been an ally to HAC’s work. His presentation walked through San José’s multi-pronged housing strategy rooted in four pillars: Legalization and Capacity, Costs, Financing, and Specific Sites. Each is aimed at clearing the path for more homes, more quickly, with smart policy to back it up.

Legalization & Capacity

Councilmember Tordillos emphasized San José’s effort to turn zoning reform into real capacity. The city’s current General Plan review sets the groundwork for the next RHNA cycle and an eventual brand-new general plan. He highlighted a major win: securing a commitment to legalize small multifamily housing (up to 10 units per parcel) which could unlock 20,000 new homes if implemented widely.

He’s also sharpening the city’s vague "Missing Middle" strategy, pushing to expand SB 9’s reach into historic districts and single-family neighborhoods, and aligning the city’s vision with new state laws like SB 79, SB 684, and SB 1123. District 3, with its proximity to downtown and light rail, is positioned to lead the way in TOD-centered housing.

Costs

From single-stair reform to rethinking inclusionary housing rules, Councilmember Tordillos is looking at every lever that could reduce costs and unlock supply.

He and his staff are pursuing a local path for single-stair buildings, working with state fire agencies and local trades to build support despite organized opposition. As his team noted, peer-reviewed data from cities like New York and Seattle shows these buildings are just as safe, a message they’re bringing into negotiations with fire unions and safety officials.

The councilmember also signaled reforms to San José’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, aiming to simplify compliance and encourage on-site affordable units. They’re exploring new tools like local cap-and-trade-style credit programs and potential exemptions from in-lieu fees for small developments.

Financing

Councilmember Tordillos walked through a full toolbox of financing strategies, from tax-increment financing and master leases to interest in a future housing bond. He noted that San José’s Measure E real estate transfer tax has generated tens of millions in the past but much of it is now tied up in shelter costs. The goal is to channel more of that money back into permanent low-AMI housing production.

Lowering impact fees is also on the table, particularly for smaller developments. Exempting the first few units from in-lieu fees could offer meaningful relief for gentle density builders, a promising direction HAC strongly supports.

Specific Sites

From downtown highrise incentives to district-scale redevelopment, Councilmember Tordillos underscored the need to rethink land use citywide. He pointed to major sites like:

• The Alquist State Building and other blighted properties

• BART TOD hubs like Berryessa

• A future-looking vision for transforming a city-owned golf course into mixed-use housing and park space

Many of these ideas will require time, coalition-building, and vision but they reflect the kind of long-term thinking San José needs.

Closing Thoughts

This HAC ED session reminded us what real local leadership on housing looks like. Councilmember Tordillos and his team are focused on practical policies that drive results and aren’t afraid to challenge outdated norms. From zoning reform to financing fixes, they’re proving that cities can act and that political courage still matters.

As always, HAC is proud to amplify this work, offer support, and help activate the public voice around reforms that can deliver the homes our communities need.

Want to help shape the conversation? Reach out to Councilmember Tordillos (Anthony.Tordillos@sanjoseca.gov) and his legislative aide Shawn Danino (Shawn.Danino@sanjoseca.gov)

We’ll also keep you posted on key public comment opportunities and updates as San José’s housing agenda moves forward. Stay tuned!