Seasoned Developer Opines on California’s Housing Crisis

Bill Witte, CEO and Chairman of Related California—one of the largest developers of urban and multifamily housing in the state—has for the past 30 years been responsible for the strategic direction of the company, overall management of the firm, pursuit of new development opportunities, and oversight of planning, financing and construction of a development portfolio of 16,000 residential units totaling more than $6 billion in assets. 

The Planning Report recently interviewed Bill on how state and local governments ought to respond to the state’s challenges with housing affordability, growth in homelessness, and 'missing middle' housing supply:

"City halls are usually in the best position not only to respond to it, but to be held accountable for how they respond. Having said that, I think the state has a very relevant roll to play using its bully pulpit to prod and incent people at the local level to act. I happen to believe that in many places—not San Francisco, maybe not LA—if the state weren’t pushing so hard on housing, there would be less focus on it."