The report by the state Department of Housing and Community Development is in the form of a draft assessment that solicits comments. For the last 10 years, the state produced on average 80,000 units annually, while the need was for 180,000 units.

Justin Ewers shares news of a detailed report, "California’s Housing Future: Challenges and Opportunities," which represents "the [Brown] administration’s highest-profile move on housing since last spring, when the governor sought to accelerate housing construction in urban areas by dramatically streamlining the local approval process for multi-family developments." That proposal failed in the California State Legislature in 2016.
In California’s Housing Future, the administration has returned to the fray, offering the first official assessment of the state’s housing goals since 2000—and highlighting the challenges policymakers will have to overcome to make it easier to rent or buy a home in California.
The 2000 report, "Raising the Roof, California Housing Development Projections and Constraints 1997 - 2020," was released not by Brown's predecessor, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but by his predecessor, Gov. Gray Davis.
The Draft Statewide Housing Assessment by the California Department of Housing and Community Development solicits public comment through March 4, 2017 and will be the basis of public meetings this month held throughout the state from San Diego to Redding, in addition to a January 13 webinar.
Among the report's other findings:
- Lack of supply and rising costs are compounding growing inequality for younger Californians.
- One-third of renters pay more than 50% of income toward rent.
- Homeownership rates are at their lowest in California since the 1940s.
- California [with 12% of the nation’s population] accounts for a disproportionate 22% of the nation's homeless population.
- Continued sprawl will decrease affordability and quality of life while increasing combined housing and transportation costs on families.
"The report includes a range of potential solutions, including streamlining local and state land-use and environmental rules and boosting funding for low-income housing," reports Liam Dillon for the Los Angeles Times. Dillon was also the guest on KPBS (NPR affiliate in San Diego) Midday Edition on Jan. 4 where he discussed the report's findings and recommendations.
Hat tip to MTC Headlines.
FULL STORY: Governor’s Housing Department Releases List of Options for Addressing California’s Housing Crisis

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.

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

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service