Affordable Housing

California is poised to invest $10 billion to accelerate housing production and $12 billion to tackle homelessness.

If living in a home with a garden is your thing, you probably shouldn’t expect Californian tolerance from a certain group of people.

As the Legislature approves more housing, it should consider the drought and water supplies for residential development.

State and local governments must change housing law and zoning rules to move toward permanently housing unsheltered Californians.

Before a homebuilder puts a backhoe to work, he or she has permit fees to pay, and other costs that can amount to more than $100,000 per house, not including land cost. Housing won’t be affordable in California until legislators address the permit and fee structure and the high cost of land.

To help alleviate the state’s housing shortage, California recently began tracking publicly owned lots that could be turned into affordable homes. In its first year, the state housing agency has cited two major sports arenas—Angel Stadium in Anaheim and Pechanga Arena in San Diego—for cutting backroom development deals with developers that shortchanged the public on affordable units. The agency is now investigating Oakland Coliseum in Oakland.

Senate bills 9 and 10 correct exclusionary zoning issues that prevent affordable housing and put Black and Latino Californians out of the running for homeownership.

YIMBYs and NIMBYs are battling over legislation to allow more duplexes, but some experts downplay its impact on California housing. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill as part of an affordable housing package.

In the latest episode of "Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast." CalMatters' Manuela Tobias and the Los Angeles Times' Liam Dillon are joined by former housing policy advisor Annie Fryman to tackle a crucial question: If housing is such a key priority for legislators, why can’t they get anything done?

The Legislature should pass Assembly Bill 602 to standardize and create greater transparency in how local housing fees are determined. Local governments should reduce or eliminate these fees to make it easier to buy a home.