Housing

A row of tents and makeshift shelters, covered with tarps and surrounded by personal belongings, lines a grassy area near a railway under an overcast sky. A person wearing a dark coat and hat moves near a white tent. In the background, a train approaches on an elevated track, and scattered items, bicycles, and blue recycling bins are visible throughout the encampment.

Homelessness

Homeless counts dropped in these California counties this year

California reduced its official homeless count in 2025 after years of increases. Now, preliminary data for 2026 shows many places in the state are continuing to make progress. Counties up and down the state are reporting that their homeless populations dropped this year, citing early results of the point-in-time count conducted in January. Some of […]

By Marisa Kendall • August 21, 2026

Cattle graze in a grassy field with rows of wind turbines stretching across the landscape beneath an overcast sky.

Politics

Inside California Forever’s high-pressure push to fast-track a shipyard

California Forever pressured Solano County officials to support state legislation to fast-track its shipyard development, newly obtained public records show. Now, during the final weeks of the legislative session, the company is ramping up the pressure again.

By Yue Stella Yu and Kate Wolffe • August 19, 2026

Housing

Almost nowhere in California is building enough, according to the state. Here’s why

The state ordered every city and county to plan for 2.5 million new homes by 2030. With the exception of just five jurisdictions, no one is on track to hit their numbers.

By Ben Christopher • August 11, 2026

An aerial view shows several houses under construction in a residential neighborhood, with exposed wooden framing and construction crews at work. A mountain range rises behind the neighborhood under a clear blue sky.

Housing

Two cities burned in LA fires settle YIMBY lawsuit

Malibu and Pasadena ultimately agreed to allow state-decreed multiplex development in single-family neighborhoods after a pro-development legal nonprofit sued. The state, the city of Los Angeles and L.A. County aren’t backing down.

By Ben Christopher • July 31, 2026

Housing

Here’s what the ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ federal housing bill means for California

The federal housing bill does a lot of little things. Supporters hope it will put a dent in both California and the nation's housing shortage.

By Ben Christopher • July 10, 2026

A woman sits on a couch in her apartment while her dog sits on the floor in front of her.

Homelessness

Therapy in a tent: The healthcare many homeless Californians need but aren’t getting

Like many people who are or have been homeless, Jessica Scott struggles with debilitating anxiety. When she finally moved from her stepfather’s car into a Sacramento apartment a few weeks ago, she said one thing played a major role in helping her take that step: Therapy. “When you’re panicking so much that you can’t really […]

By Marisa Kendall • July 8, 2026

Resident Johnny Nielson walks through the DignityMoves tiny home village in downtown San Francisco, on Oct. 3, 2023. The program provides interim supportive housing to individuals experiencing homelessness. Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters

Homelessness

Judge shoots down Trump’s homeless funding shift: ‘The hallmark of unreasoned decision making’

In a legal win for California, a federal judge rejected President Trump’s efforts to funnel money away from permanent homeless housing.

By Marisa Kendall • July 2, 2026

Two people, both wearing blue sweaters, stand behind red tape, watching as a bulldozer scoops up debris from a burned-down home and dumps it into a truck. Two construction workers wearing hard hats and yellow safety vests are on both sides of the people.

Housing

Their town burned to the ground. Should they get a pass from California’s new housing laws?

A bill to shield Altadena from two density-boosting housing laws is meant to let the town rebuild on its own terms. Some worry it could keep many homeowners from rebuilding at all.

By Ben Christopher • July 2, 2026

A multi-story apartment building lined with palm trees stands along a landscaped street under a dark, overcast sky. Two pedestrians walk on the sidewalk in front of the complex, while dense clouds gather overhead, creating a contrast between the bright building facade and the approaching weather.

Housing

Real estate tax-cut proposal pulled from ballot in last-minute deal

The final deal puts a stripped-down tax-cut measure to voters in November but doesn't touch real-estate transfer taxes.

By Ben Christopher • June 25, 2026

Homelessness

What is the California Legislature doing about homelessness this year? These are the bills to watch

Bills moving through the Legislature this year address state-funded sober housing, RVs parked on city streets and homelessness prevention.

By Marisa Kendall • June 25, 2026