Governor Gavin Newsom today signed bipartisan legislation to expand housing production in California, streamline housing permitting, and increase density to create more inclusive and vibrant neighborhoods across the state.
California is poised to invest $10 billion to accelerate housing production and $12 billion to tackle homelessness. California has often been criticized for lacking a comprehensive, holistic approach to housing and homelessness.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature reached a deal that will provide $500 million toward affordable student housing this year and possibly up to $2 billion in future years. Experts say it’s “a drop in the bucket” compared to what’s needed.
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.
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.
The sudden demise of the year’s most controversial state housing bill was celebrated by some and bemoaned by others. But very few-supporters, opponents, and even the author himself-can claim to have seen this coming.
Again and again, Californians name housing affordability and homelessness as the biggest issues facing the state.
On a few of the vast, verdant lawns in East Sacramento, one of the capital city’s most popular and expensive neighborhoods, yellow-and-black yard signs urge passersby to “save neighborhoods” and keep Sacramento “livable and diverse.”
