I am referring to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) housing building mandates. We know the demographics are not supportive of this scheme. California’s population is projected to remain flat or decline out to 2060. Given that the demographics with flat to declining population growth do not support Sacramento’s housing build-up, the resulting economics of housing development projects fall apart.
Rarely has California seen so concerted and unified a campaign by its elected officials as the drive for housing density conducted by Gov. Gavin Newsom and allied state legislators over the past five years. All along, there have been three major goals: One is to ease a housing shortage, another is to drive down the price of housing and a third seeks somehow to ease the obdurate problem of homelessness.
I read Susan Kirsch’s Marin Voice commentary with keen interest.
It has been claimed that the state’s need for affordable housing is a compelling state interest that preempts the constitutional powers granted to cities. In fact, the current avalanche of housing bills coming from Sacramento provides only token benefits to low-income people as required by the law.
BY THOMAS D. ELIAS
October 20, 2023
Gov. Gavin Newsom is a big advocate of science, the concept, not the magazine. He’s often said science was behind his many controversial moves to counter COVID-19 and he’s using science in the state’s effort to mitigate future wildfires, for just two examples.
The Museum of International Propaganda sits on a quiet corner in San Rafael. It displays examples from 25 countries, including Germany, Vietnam and the Soviet Union.
After visiting the museum, I started wondering if Sacramento’s housing policy qualifies. That is a goal of propaganda: to discourage critical thinking and discussion about an issue by using denigrating labels and name-calling so the popular narrative proceeds without challenge.
It’s too early to know what the local news media will do about a Board of Supes committee deciding today to once again delay Mayor London Breed’s extensive changes in local housing approval rules.
But based on a big piece in the SF Standard today, we can guess: It will be all about the Nimbys continuing to slow down changes that would allow more housing in the city and bring down prices.
A statewide non-partisan group made up of elected officials, nonprofit and organization leaders, and individuals. We advocate for the empowerment of local governments to foster equitable, self-determined communities offering a path for all to a more livable California Teleconferences Every Other Saturday at 10AM: By Invitation only. Register Here
A weekly Zoom call to talk about housing legislation and strategies to preserve local control. Bring your questions and ideas. Informal networking, announcements, and updates. PLEASE NOTE: You have to register in advance the first time to get the new Zoom link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. The Zoom link will work for the rest of the year. REGISTER
A weekly Zoom call to talk about housing legislation and strategies to preserve local control. Bring your questions and ideas. Informal networking, announcements, and updates. PLEASE NOTE: You have to register in advance the first time to get the new Zoom link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. The Zoom link will work for the rest of the year. REGISTER
A statewide non-partisan group made up of elected officials, nonprofit and organization leaders, and individuals. We advocate for the empowerment of local governments to foster equitable, self-determined communities offering a path for all to a more livable California Teleconferences Every Other Saturday at 10AM: By Invitation only. Register Here
A weekly Zoom call to talk about housing legislation and strategies to preserve local control. Bring your questions and ideas. Informal networking, announcements, and updates. PLEASE NOTE: You have to register in advance the first time to get the new Zoom link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. The Zoom link will work for the rest of the year. REGISTER
