Affordable Housing
City council members narrowly voted to approve small policy shifts that promote affordable housing over commercial development. While there are some currently underway, no new affordable housing projects have been completed since 2014.
Houses of worship own billions worth of empty, deteriorating or underused real estate. Some local governments and denominations are moving to carve it into badly needed housing, but there are plenty of obstacles.
A “light density” proposal that would loosen zoning laws to allow duplexes and lot splitting in residential neighborhoods across the state is headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom. Many suburban homeowner groups oppose the bill.
Even accounting for factors lenders said would explain disparities, people of color are denied mortgages at significantly higher rates than white people.
The state housing agency has cited two major sports arenas for cutting backroom deals with developers that shortchanged the public on affordable units. The agency is now investigating a third.
It doesn't create much new housing and distorts the housing market, providing little if any help for low-income households. It's no substitute for broad liberalization of zoning policies.
The state has instituted a new set of tenant eviction protections that will extend through next summer. Additionally, the state’s Rental Relief Program still has over $700 million for potential renters in need.
The city’s program has provided housing and support to over 280 residents since 2016 and has saved the city millions in police, jail, ambulance and detox services. Now the city is looking to expand.
The city has received 45,000 applications for its rental assistance program. That's more than twice the maximum number of renters the city expects to be able to help with the latest round of funding.
The eviction moratorium expired last weekend, and despite pleas from Congress and advocates, the White House has said the CDC cannot extend the order any further, putting millions at risk of losing their housing.
