Presidential Candidates Discuss the California Housing Crisis

The Palm Springs Desert Sun, with the help of California State Senator Scott Wiener, recently asked Democratic candidates for president what they will do about the housing affordability crisis in California.

Desert Sun reporter Sam Metz sets the context for the discussion:

In few places is the housing crisis as severe as California, which will face an estimated 3.5 million home shortage by 2025, ranks 49 out of the 50 states in homes per capita and has more than 150,000 individuals experiencing homelessness.

The next president will oversee the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and make budgetary decisions about issues ranging from rental assistance to low-income housing tax credits. 

Wiener sent each of the candidates an email asking them whether they would force cities to build housing. Some candidates replied directly, and other campaigns spoke on behalf of the candidate. Respondents, in some form, include Andrew Yang, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Tom Steyer, Bernie Sanders, Michael Bloomberg, and Amy Klobuchar.