California, Housing

The Presidio of San Francisco -- the nation's only privately-operated National Park -- has been trying for years to redevelop one of its buidings into an apartment complex. Citing local concerns, a recent proposal for 350 units has been denied.

The city council has moved to allocate $8 million dollars to pursue five initiatives recommended by a team of consultants designed to increase the supply of affordable housing.

Upset developers forced to set aside 25% of their development as affordable housing are facing off with city officials in Los Angeles over its inclusionary housing policies.

At yesterday's L.A. City Council meeting, landlords and tenants sparred over affordable housing, money, and incentives for the middle class. After the dust settled, councilmembers voted: landlords may have to pay higher fees to relocate tenants.

As part of a settlement of a lawsuit brought by housing advocates and environmentalists, the city council will move to cap the number of rental apartments that can be converted to condominiums each year.

With few residents able to afford a suburban home, residents of San Diego and increasingly other high-priced western cities are gradually embracing a new model for homeownership.

Inclusionary zoning and community land trusts are two innovative methods that government and non-profits are starting to use to create affordable housing, though these, like past efforts, have their shortcomings.

The sub-prime meltdown has some Los Angelenos sleeping (illegally) in their cars, and advocates for the homeless are divided about what to do about it.

Near the California desert resorts in and around Palm Springs, huge slums have built up in trailer parks, occupied by migrant farm workers. These areas are overcrowded with thousands of people, many of whom have no access to clean water or plumbing.

Habitat for Humanity takes its expertise in creating builder-owners in suburban settings to Los Angeles, which desperately needs affordable housing. The Planning Report interviews CEO Erin Rank.

On a ranch the size of Rhode Island will live 70,000 citizens of California's new town: Centennial.

With median housing prices of more than $1 million, the city of Santa Barbara, California, is looking for ways to retain its diminishing middle-class. The plan is to subsidize middle-income housing for residents making up to $177,000.

In Perris, California, a bedroom community in the outer orbit of Los Angeles, 1 out of every 53 homes is in default.

Entrepreneurial students-turned-developers are turning houses into dorms around San Diego State University to meet the growing demand for affordable housing, but neighbors want the city to crackdown on the practice.

In response to meeting regional housing demand requirements stipulated by the Association of Bay Area Governments, the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee of Berkeley, California, considers a high-rise development plan proposed by city staff.

Participating on Oakland’s Inclusionary Housing Blue Ribbon Commission, a home builder points to the futility of inclusionary zoning and lists effective alternatives that should be included in a comprehensive approach to building affordable housing.

The possibility of an affordable housing development being built near the gates of Disneyland sent the park's officials to a recent Anaheim City Council Meeting. A vote expected by many to pass resulted in a tie, and the housing project faded away.

To help make ends meet, some students have taken to living in illegal, and often unsafe, residences.

Interest-only loans and ARMs once touted as a panacea have now become the vehicle for massive foreclosures as financially distressed owners can no longer afford their expensive homes.

Number of home owners defaulting on mortgage loans is rising in California.