Latest News
State auditor’s analysis elevates concern about housing mandate
RHNA is an acronym that often brings terror to elected county supervisors, city council members, municipal planners and those living in already overpopulated coastal communities. Those letters stand for Regional Housing Needs Assessment. That’s the state mandate of specific numbers of housing units every California town, city and county needs to plan for and facilitate by 2031. The RHNA mandate is a prime example of the top down, “we know best” approach which has become a hallmark of California’s current legislators.
Marin critics of housing mandates tout auditor’s findings
Marin critics of housing mandates handed down by the state say a new report by California’s auditor validates their objections.
“I applaud the audit,” said Mill Valley resident Susan Kirsch, founder of Catalysts for Local Control. “It is one of the greatest contributions we’ve had to try to get accurate numbers that jurisdictions can rely on.”
Four Cities File Lawsuit to Stop SB-9
Petitioners/Plaintiffs City of Redondo Beach, City of Carson, City of Torrance, and City of Whittier bring this action to uphold the California Constitution and prevent the State of California from usurping a charter city’s land use authority, which is a uniquely municipal affair.
California State Auditor releases scathing report on RHNA process
Report finds housing goals are not supported by evidence
On March 17, Michael S. Tilden, the Acting California State Auditor, issued a blistering critique of the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and its Regional Housing Needs Assessments (RHNA).
The Auditor found problems in the HCD methodology that may have inflated RHNA requirements by hundreds of thousands of housing units.
Craziness of housing element demands control
As director of the Catalysts for Local Control group, I think it’s time to push back against housing element craziness. We’re being force-fed housing solutions that don’t deliver on the promise of housing that is affordable.
Advancing Social Housing in California
California Assemblymember Alex Lee’s Vision Of Social Housing (AB 2053). A Zoom webinar hosted by State Senator Stanley Chang.
Is Social Housing the Answer?
Bay Area municipalities have been debating for decades whether new housing production or vigorous tenant protections is the best path to ensuring secure places to live for the region’s residents. And yet questions over the long-term efficacy of both of these solutions have largely remained unanswered. Until now.
Special Catalysts Call with Rishi Kumar
WATCH THE MEETING VIDEO
A Special Catalysts Call! Monday, March 28, 2022, 5:00-6:00 pm
Host Susan Kirsch in Conversation with Rishi Kumar talking about “Housing 2022”.
NIMBYs Getting a Bad Rap in California
Tom Elias
VC Star | Ventura County Star
Mon, March 14, 2022, 9:30 AM
Rarely has a major group of Californians suffered a less deserved rash of insults and attacks than the myriad homeowners often described as “NIMBYs” — an acronym for folks who may favor new developments, but “not in my backyard.”