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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.
California coastal protections versus housing: The battle is on
Julie Johnson
Updated Jan 25, 2024 7:13 p.m.
Building housing is difficult virtually anywhere in California — but especially along the coast, where there can be an extra layer of permitting. One of the Legislature’s strongest advocates for more home-building is trying to change that — and he’s starting with the coastline of San Francisco.
State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, introduced legislation this month that would chip away at the authority of the California Coastal Commission.
Berman bill would limit cities’ ability to tack on fees to housing developments
by Gennady Sheyner
January 24, 2024
Cities will no longer be able to tack on impact fees to housing units that developers produce through California’s density-bonus program under legislation proposed by state Assembly member Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park.
The bill, known as Assembly Bill 2063, would apply to a range of fees — including inclusionary zoning fees and in-lieu fees — that cities currently tack on to housing developments. Cities use these fees to bolster their affordable housing funds and support community services such as libraries and parks.
California is at higher risk for major earthquakes than previously known.
By Clare FonsteinUpdated
Jan 23, 2024 9:30 a.m
An updated U.S. earthquake model showed slightly greater shaking possible in California than previously mapped.
The National Seismic Hazard Model, developed by the United States Geological Survey, says that most of California has at least a 75% chance of damaging earthquake shaking in the next 100 years — with at least a 95% chance for the Bay Area.
Yimby leader calls for rents to go higher.
By Tim Redmiond
Januaryy 21, 2024
This one is weird: I thought the main Yimby argument was that more housing, including more market-rate housing, will eventually bring down rents. That’s the central reason that the state is mandating so much new housing—because a housing shortage, which can best be solved by the private sector, drives costs up for everyone.
Everyone is wrong in the Bay Area housing debate. Here’s what’s really happening.
By Cade Cannedy
Jan 8, 2024
YIMBYs and NIMBYs, a tale far less old and far more annoying than Cain and Abel, is a perfect fit for a post-pandemic, cyberurbanized California.
For those unaware, a NIMBY is an aging white couple in a coastal community using racially coded arguments to oppose an affordable housing project that threatens to bring in “ruckus.” A YIMBY, on the other hand, is someone on Twitter yelling indecipherably about how legalizing 5-over-1 single staircases is the only way your children will avoid homelessness in California.
Last year, S.F. built the least new housing in a decade. But there’s hope for 2024
By J.K. Dineen
Jan 8, 2024
Crippled by a seemingly endless pandemic hangover and a lack of investor confidence in the city’s future, 2023 was San Francisco’s weakest year for housing production in a decade, with just 2,024 units completed.
The crop of new units represented a 30% decline from 2022, and a 57% drop from 2021. Among the 2,024 new apartments and condos were 805 affordable units, which was 37% less than the prior year.
Letter to the editor: Yes, a taxpayer can sue over the state’s housing laws
By TIM REDMOND
JANUARY 2, 2024
We love letters to the editor. Here’s one from someone who actually knows the answer to a question I raised:
In “Peskin, Chan want to know if SF can sue the state over impossible housing rules,” Tim Redmond asks, “Could a San Francisco citizen, or organization [as distinguished from San Francisco itself], sue? ‘That,’ said Peskin, ‘is a very good question.’”
Peskin, Chan want to know if SF can sue the state over impossible housing rules
By TIM REDMOND
JANUARY 1, 2024
Supervisors Aaron Peskin and Connie Chan are asking the city attorney for advice on whether San Francisco can sue the state to block the punitive actions set in motion by Sen. Scott Wiener’s housing bills.
Letters: YIMBY critics of S.F. Supervisor Dean Preston’s housing record are wrong. Here’s why
By Chronicle readers
Dec 24, 2023
Regarding “The battle over S.F. Supervisor Dean Preston’s housing record is heating up again” (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 20): This discourse has been manipulated by YIMBY groups to distort San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston’s genuine intentions and unjustly vilify his approach.
Recent reports dissecting Preston’s housing record have been selectively crafted to cast shadows on his efforts.