Latest News
NOTE: The opinions expressed in the news items cited here do not necessarily represent the opinion of Catalysts for Local Control. We try to present a balanced picture of the news on the subject of housing and legislation.
S.F. has the same housing goals as New York City — which is 10 times its size
By J.K. Dineen
Dec 11, 2024
Last week New York housing advocates celebrated the passage of the “City of Yes” legislation, a plan to rezone the city of 8 million in order to encourage the construction of 82,000 units over the next 15 years, with Mayor Eric Adams calling it “the most pro-housing piece of legislation in city history.” But for those who track housing politics in the Bay Area, the news stood out for another reason: 82,000 happens also to be the number of units state housing officials are mandating that San Francisco — a city with one-tenth of the population of New York
Political optimism, not anxiety, can restore local traditional values
December 8, 2024
Originally published February 3, 2023
Writing for American Greatness, Edward Ring makes the case that political optimism is a revolutionary defense against the radical Left’s fearmongering. Ring breaks down why auspicious outlooks on governance challenges lead to creative innovation and “everything good” — despite (as we see daily in Santa Clara County) pressures for local media outlets to emphasize reactionary, polarizing content.
Opinion: For better conversations on politics, look for the narrow ridge between “I” and “Thou”
https://www.opportunitynowsv.org/blog/opinion-for-better-conversations-on-politics-look-for-the-narrow-ridge-between-i-and-thou County residents may have been united on some things this election, but we can't vote away ideological diversity. So how can we productively...
As goes California, so goes the nation? House Democrats launch YIMBY Caucus for housing
BY ANDREW SHEELER
NOVEMBER 25, 2024 4:55 AM
THE U.S. HOUSE GETS A YIMBY CAUCUS
California Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have said “Yes In My Back Yard.”
Members of the newly-launched YIMBY Caucus want to boost affordable housing nationwide by pushing policies aimed at boosting the construction of those homes.
“The cost of rent is far too high. We must act to expand affordable housing options,” said Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach, a co-chair of the caucus.
The loophole for coastal ADUs is officially closed. That hasn’t ended these neighbors’ war over one.
By DAVID GARRICK
November 23, 2024
San Diego officials finally closed the zoning loophole pitting neighbor against neighbor in coastal communities — but angst continues over the many backyard apartments it has already allowed directly along property lines.
Two neighbors in Crown Point haven’t spoken for months, and a new backyard apartment on their property line remains unfinished because one neighbor won’t allow the other to access his yard to stucco the last wall.
‘Charter’ cities are gaining popularity in California, but voters are worried about new taxes
By Kota Suzuki,Data team intern
Nov 20, 2024
Over the last several decades, an increasing number of California cities have transitioned to “charter cities,” and many more could follow suit. The main obstacle? Recent elections show many residents don’t actually want that designation.
Charter cities in California are incorporated jurisdictions that can impose special taxes at higher rates and with greater flexibility than the state law allows. To become a charter city, a city has to adopt a charter through a majority vote of the city’s electorate.
Here’s how a host of new housing laws will change California in 2025
By Alfred Twu
Nov 16, 2024
In California, 2023 was a blockbuster year for housing legislation with bills that streamlined approvals in most major cities, doubled the affordable housing density bonus, created more options for townhouses, condos and ADUs, and allowed religious organizations to build affordable housing on their land, regardless of zoning.
Gavin Newsom to live in $9.1 million Marin County home, split time between Bay Area and Sacramento
By Roland Li, Business Reporter
Nov 15, 2024
Gov. Gavin Newsom is moving part time to a home in Marin County that sold on Thursday for $9.1 million, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The six-bedroom property in the unincorporated community of Kentfield includes floor-to-ceiling windows, a swimming pool and a spa, according to a real estate listing.
Newsom’s office declined to confirm the details of the plans nor whether Newsom bought the property.
A fight over 253 new homes nearly destroyed this wealthy Silicon Valley town
By Kevin V. Nguyen
Nov. 14, 2024 • 5:00am
Portola Valley considered dissolving itself after struggling to meet state housing mandates. Change is coming for the local population in the form of new housing, which the state is demanding after years of a worsening affordability crisis. Residents are being given the choice to hop on board, get out of the way, or risk getting run over.
Portola Valley, a town of roughly 4,200 people and an average home cost of $3.8 million, is finding out the price of resistance.