Housing Crisis

He says state law gives him the right to turn his garage into an apartment. His HOA says it doesn’t. Who's right?

The recent spate of LA fires has led many different parties to re-examine state and local approaches to building approval.

Housing construction permits were already trending downward. Now the wildfires have taken away at least 10,000 occupied homes.

When the Democrat-dominated California Legislature reconvened this week, its members chanted a new mantra about trying to reduce living costs in a state where those costs — particularly for housing and utilities — are at or near the nation’s highest.

Gavin Newsom began his governorship with promises of decisive action on key issues, homelessness among them. Despite billions of dollars in spending, the population has increased and the crisis remains a weapon for Newsom's opponents.

The state's elected insurance commissioner formally unveiled a large chunk of his plan to stem the exodus of insurers from California. Adoption of the plans may result in premium hikes, but maintaining a viable market is vital to the state's economy.

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently moved to Marin County, home to wealthy enclaves that are notorious for resisting his pro-housing policies.

The rising home costs have spawned other problems, such as widening income gaps, growing financial burdens and an outflow of people from California.

California has for years tiptoed around the housing crisis. Berkeley's reforms may be the way to resolve it.

Experts predict funding cuts and policy changes. But Trump and Newsom appear to agree on encampment sweeps.