Building homes inside a factory has long been seen as a way to revolutionize the American housing industry, ushering in a new era of higher-quality homes at lower prices. That dream has never quite panned out. Can California finally make it happen?
Ben Christopher / CalMatters
Posted inHousing & Development
Housing advocates still waiting for state-ordered stair report
California’s fire safety regulators were asked to study whether mid-rise apartments can go with a single staircase. They’re more than a month late.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Los Angeles won’t be tweaking its ‘mansion tax.’ Now the debate is likely to go statewide
A ballot measure do-over in Los Angeles was intended to ward off a statewide anti-tax crusade. Hanging over the debate is the specter of a proposed statewide proposition that would sharply cap municipal transfer taxes while also restricting other local taxes.
Posted inHousing & Development
One California city’s idea to tackle the housing crisis: Take the stairs
For YIMBYs and other champions of more housing development, ditching the extra staircase has become a surprisingly buzzy cause. In Culver City, they have a test case.
Posted inHousing & Development
Why California’s historic housing law gave activists a new reason to battle the bus
Opponents to dense housing developments in Los Angeles turned their attention to transit after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law encouraging construction near bus and rail lines.
Posted inHousing & Development
Newsom signs law overhauling local zoning to build more housing
After weeks of waiting, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that will allow midrise apartment buildings near major transit stops in California’s biggest metro areas.
Posted inHousing & Development
Why figuring out how many homes California needs is more art than science
56,000. 2.7 million. 840,000. Why is one of California’s most pressing policy problems so hard to measure?
Posted inHousing & Development
California Legislature overrides local zoning to boost transit-oriented development
Senate Bill 79, among the most controversial housing proposals in recent memory, overcame opposition from local governments, organized labor unions and many legislative Democrats.
Posted inHousing & Development
Breakthrough on California housing could put taller buildings in single-family neighborhoods
A powerful California construction union is no longer fighting a bill that would ease barriers to the construction of tall apartment buildings near train and bus stations.
Posted inHousing & Development
Hidden in Trump’s spending package: A surprise boost to California’s affordable housing
President Donald Trump’s spending bill includes cuts to Medicaid, food assistance and more. But it also increases a federal tax credit that helps build affordable housing in California.