Housing

Apartment buildings under construction across the street from the MacArthur BART station in Oakland on July 19, 2019. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Housing

California lawmakers going big on pro-development bills — not so much on renter protection

2025 is shaping up to be a banner year for legislation aimed at boosting new housing construction. Rental rights bills are facing an “uphill battle.”

By Ben Christopher • June 11, 2025

From left, Andrea Zeppa, homeless services regional coordinator for Alameda County Healthcare for the Homeless, and Deidra Perry, program financial manager for Alameda County Healthcare for the Homeless, team up during Alameda County’s 2024 point-in-time count in Berkeley, on Jan. 25, 2024. The PIT count, which included a voluntary survey, gathers data on the county’s homeless population. Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters

Housing

Fewer unhoused people are living on Inland Empire streets

Fewer people were living outside or in shelters in San Bernardino County. In Riverside, more people were in shelters than last year but fewer were on the streets.

By Deborah Brennan • June 4, 2025

A white and blue train zooms by a street next two a multi-story apartment building in beige and cream tones.

Housing

How gentrification is killing the bus: California’s rising rents are pushing out commuters

Across Los Angeles, rent hikes have led to fewer bus and train riders in an example of how California’s housing crisis is also making its transit crisis harder to solve.

By Ben Christopher • May 29, 2025

A person wearing a jacket labeled "LAHSA" on the back is seen from behind, standing near a pile of personal belongings and debris in an outdoor encampment. In the background, individuals interact near tents and tarps, with one person holding an item. Yellow caution tape partially frames the foreground, suggesting a restricted area or active cleanup operation. The scene takes place on a sunny day.

Homelessness

Why California’s biggest local effort to fight homelessness is starting all over again

California cities and counties are supposed to work together to help their homeless residents. But those partnerships can be fraught.

By Marisa Kendall • May 20, 2025

New homes under construction in Pleasanton on June 16, 2024. The city of Pleasanton has voted to explore the possibility of becoming a charter city. Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters

Housing

Is the secret to housing affordability in California buried in the building code?

California lawmakers are considering a bill that would pause updates to state housing standards. Is the building code to blame for California's housing crisis?

By Ben Christopher • May 15, 2025

Two construction workers stand in a raised green boom lift labeled “Sunbelt Rentals,” installing or inspecting a window awning on a multi-story red and tan building. The scene is viewed through a fence topped with barbed wire, with graffiti visible on the fence. A concrete BART station structure is on the left, and the sky is clear and blue.

Housing

Newsom picks more housing over CEQA in backing two bills meant to speed construction

The California environmental law known as CEQA can be used to block construction in developed areas. Gov. Gavin Newsom is supporting changes to encourage more housing.

By Ben Christopher • May 14, 2025

A homeless man's tent set up along the side of Golden State Boulevard just under Highway 41 in southwest Fresno on Feb. 11, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela for CalMatters.

Homelessness

As Newsom pressures cities to clear homeless camps, they say this agency is moving too slow

Pending legislation would push Caltrans to work more closely with California cities on dismantling homeless encampments around its highways.

By Marisa Kendall • May 13, 2025

Surrounded by workers in hazmat suits and bright orange waste bags, Gov. Gavin Newsom helps clear a homeless encampment in San Diego.

Homelessness

Newsom wants cities to force homeless Californians to move camp every 3 days

In his latest push to crackdown on homeless encampments, Gov. Gavin Newsom urges cities to make certain camps illegal.

By Marisa Kendall • May 12, 2025

An encampment with scattered belongings, shopping carts, a tent covered in plastic, and a frosted artificial Christmas tree. A person stands near a chain-link fence while another sits by the tent. A worn trailer is in the background, and a dog is partially visible in the foreground.

Housing

‘Millions out on the street virtually overnight’: How Trump’s budget proposal could affect California

President Donald Trump's budget proposal in its present form would have huge effects on housing and homelessness in California.

By Ben Christopher and Marisa Kendall • May 5, 2025

A person, wearing a light blue suit, looks towards their left as they sit in front of a wooden desk surrounded by other people.

Politics

When will Democratic lawmakers make California more affordable? Later, leaders say

It’s been five months since California’s legislative leaders deemed affordability an “urgent” issue for the session. So far: committees, bills, but few results.

By Yue Stella Yu • May 5, 2025