Three Housing Stories to Watch in California

California's housing crunch finally became a top legislative priority in 2017. More of the same is expected in 2018.

1 minute read

December 31, 2017, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


California

Bryan Brazil / Shutterstock

Liam Dillon looks forward following a year of significant housing bills signed or implemented in California to anticipate the next battle lines of the fight to restore affordable options to the housing market.

Dillon predicts three major themes to the legislative efforts on 2018, with conclusions that are far from determined.

  1. Rent Control - A bill to repeal the state's rent control regime, enacted by the Costa-Hawkins Act, went nowhere in 2017, but this year could be different.
  2. Proposition 13 - Several potential ballot measures could reshape Prop 13, as previously reported by Planetizen and in more detail by Dillon.
  3. The Legislature - Legislators promised last year would just be the start.

Dillon goes into a lot more detail on each of these themes, and includes a podcast version of the story for the "Gimme Shelter: California Housing Crisis" podcast produced with Matt Levin.

Thursday, December 28, 2017 in Los Angeles Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

1 hour ago - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

3 hours ago - UNM News

Bird's eye view of half-circle suburban street with large homes.

In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City

If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.

5 hours ago - Investopedia