Seasoned Developer Opines on California’s Housing Crisis

Bill Witte, CEO and chairman of Related California, discusses how state and local governments ought to respond to the state’s challenges with housing affordability, growth in homelessness, and 'missing middle' housing supply.

1 minute read

November 21, 2019, 10:00 AM PST

By Clare Letmon


Related California

Ocean Avenue South, a Related California development located in Santa Monica between the RAND Corporation and Tongva Park. | Google Streetview

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."

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 in The Planning Report

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City