Affordable Housing

From CalMatters data reporter Jeremia Kimelman: As California’s 2024 election gets more crowded by the day, some ballot measure campaigns are already building their war chests for the costly fight to come, raising more than $60 million since January. Last year, nearly $700 million was spent, mostly by companies, to sway voters on seven November […]

From CalMatters’ state Capitol reporter Alexei Koseff: Californians have a legal right to “information concerning the conduct of the people’s business,” but actually getting those public records is easier said than done. In the past few months alone, a former employee of the San Jose mayor’s office sued the city for “perpetually extending its own […]

From CalMatters’ housing reporter Ben Christopher: California voters will soon get a third chance to say “yes” to rent control. This week, the Secretary of State announced that supporters of a measure that would let cities put new restrictions on how much landlords can hike the rent have gathered enough signatures to put it on […]

The lack of enough places for everyone to live has sent coastal rent prices inland, removing large swaths of previously cheaper rental units.

For Californians already living on the margins, recent numbers show that affordable housing and health care are both likely becoming even more difficult to come by. As CalMatters’ housing reporter Ben Christopher explains, inland cities such as Bakersfield, and Fresno — often less expensive places to live than coastal cities — are experiencing dramatic rent […]

The California Coastal Commission has broad authority to protect the state's shoreline. Now, some want to curtail its power over affordable housing proposals.

The first day back from the July Fourth holiday turned out to be very, very busy for the California Legislature.  Let’s get right to the highlights: Caste discrimination bill survives: The first-in-the-nation measure to add caste to California’s anti-discrimination laws is still alive after a key committee hearing on Wednesday. The bill language was tweaked […]

Texas recorded a 28% drop in homelessness since 2012, while California’s homeless population grew by 43%. What's behind the diverging trends, and what can California learn from programs in Houston, Austin and San Antonio?

California cities looking for homeless solutions are visiting a quirky tiny home village in Austin, Texas. They like what they see, but can they replicate the community it provides?

An Ojai City Councilmember moved out of her district after losing her home and is in danger of losing her seat. She and her supporters say it’s a dramatic demonstration of California’s affordable housing crisis.