CA AB1961

Requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to create an online database of affordable housing listings, information, and applications to improve access for low- and moderate-income households across California.

Database must include features for prospective tenants to submit electronic applications, access multilingual instructions, store information for reuse, receive vacancy notifications, and track application status.

Database must enable affordable housing managers to create listings, view and respond to applications, and facilitate the application process based on local jurisdiction preferences.

Allows the department to contract with vendors to build and maintain the database, prioritizing open-source platforms, with implementation required within 24 months of legislative appropriation.

Exempts jurisdictions with existing databases that meet or exceed the statewide requirements, requiring only a link to their platform instead of inclusion in the statewide database.