Did one of California’s biggest new housing reforms go too far?

Did one of California’s biggest new housing reforms go too far?

By Chris Elmendorf
Updated Nov 20, 2023

The state desperately needs changes to its housing laws. But did a recent fix create more problems than it solved?Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a package of more than 50 housing bills. Most seemed inconspicuous, but sometimes changing just a few words in a statute makes a world of difference. AB1287 is a case in point. It makes a small tweak to a state law that gives developers “bonuses” for building low-income housing.

Sacramento housing mandates don’t make any economic sense

Sacramento housing mandates don’t make any economic sense

By: Gaetan Lion
November 19, 2023 – 9:49am

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.

HOUSING ‘SOLUTIONS’ NOT WORKING

HOUSING ‘SOLUTIONS’ NOT WORKING

BY THOMAS D. ELIAS
October 27, 2023

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.

‘Affordable housing’ plans continue to be misguided

‘Affordable housing’ plans continue to be misguided

By Jackson Stromberg
October 25, 2023

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.

HOUSING ‘SOLUTIONS’ NOT WORKING

IS HOUSING DENSITY LINKED TO INCREASED STROKES?

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.

‘Affordable housing’ plans continue to be misguided

Marin Voice: Problems with state housing policy emerging before our eyes

By SUSAN KIRSCH |
October 16, 2023 at 2:10 p.m.

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.