Location: Sacramento, CA, USA
On September 5, 2022, California lawmakers convened for a special session to address the state’s escalating housing crisis. The hearing was convened as part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s ongoing efforts to combat the severe shortage of affordable housing in the state. Over 100 witnesses, including housing experts, advocates, and affected residents, testified about the deepening crisis that has left millions struggling with skyrocketing rents, inadequate
The housing crisis in California has been decades in the making, with housing production failing to keep pace with population growth. The state has consistently ranked as one of the most unaffordable in the nation, with median home prices often surpassing $800,000, and rents regularly exceeding $2,500 per month for a standard two-bedroom apartment. Despite ambitious legislative efforts, homelessness in California has continued to rise, with over 160,000 individuals living on the streets as of the 2022 Homeless Point-in-Time Count.
The special session focused on a range of issues, from zoning reform to tenant protections, but the biggest point of contention was the failure to build enough housing units at all income levels. Developers have cited high construction costs, stringent environmental regulations, and community opposition as significant barriers to building affordable housing. Meanwhile, advocates for affordable housing argue that insufficient political will, coupled with the influence of wealthy homeowners and NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) forces, has slowed progress.
In response, Governor Newsom and Senate leaders are now considering a new approach that would involve stronger incentives for local governments to approve high-density housing projects and the use of vacant state-owned land for affordable housing development. The proposal also calls for increasing the percentage of affordable units in new developments, a move that could help close the gap between demand and supply.
As the debate continues, it’s clear that the future of California’s economy and quality of life depends heavily on solving the housing crisis. For millions of residents, finding a home in California is no longer a question of affordability—it’s a question of availability. With the 2024 election cycle approaching, how state lawmakers respond to the housing crisis will be one of the most pressing issues on voters’ minds.
