News
Tech, developer foundations to state: Go big on housing
The Mercury News – January 26
After years of legislative defeats of bold housing reform, affordable housing advocates have formed a nascent coalition including the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), other major nonprofits, and lawmakers to push a 10-year plan to boost development and end homelessness. The California Housing Partnership this Tuesday released the Roadmap Home 2030 plan, calling, in part, for more support for affordable housing to create or preserve 245,000 affordable homes, save 90,000 unsubsidized affordable units, and provide housing and support services to 1 million low income Californians annually. It also seeks a permanent extension of the $500 million low income housing tax credit to boost development.
S.F. officials fear regional housing strategy could increase displacement of people of color
San Francisco Examiner – January 27
Bay Area officials have spent upwards of three years crafting Plan Bay Area 2050, a long-term planning strategy for the region. In December, a revision to the plan made after the draft of the proposal was created and approved last year increased the amount of housing San Francisco would be required to build by 53%. The changes drew strong opposition from San Francisco lawmakers, who argued they could displace thousands of residents of color, many of whom are working class. In response to the backlash, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, a regional coordinating agency with representatives from the nine Bay Area counties, voted unanimously this Wednesday to study the equity impacts of the current proposal and produce an alternative plan that better considers how ambitious housing, transportation, and climate goals might make displacement a casualty of greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
Will San Jose move to densify single-family neighborhoods like Sacramento just did?
East Bay Times – January 25
Sacramento recently took the bold step toward becoming the first city in California to eliminate traditional single-family zoning. San Jose is now considering a similar zoning shift that would allow up to four dwelling units on a single-family lot — a concept that San Jose refers to as “opportunity housing.” The council is expected to decide in June whether to move forward with the citywide recommendation — or keep it limited to neighborhoods around transit corridors.
Coronado sued over allegedly denying accessory dwelling units
The San Diego Union-Tribune – January 21
A real estate group has sued Coronado for allegedly denying the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in violation of state law. The California Association of Realtors, through its sponsored nonprofit Californians for Homeownership, said it completed a nine-month investigation of applications for ADUs, and found Coronado had a policy on the books to approve applications — but had been denying them anyway.
Inglewood will use eminent domain to acquire land needed for Clippers’ arena
Daily Bulletin – January 25
Inglewood plans to use eminent domain to secure 11 properties needed for the proposed Los Angeles Clippers basketball arena project, according to a staff report. The properties, just across the street from SoFi Stadium, include two warehouses and a Church’s Chicken. The rest are vacant or only used for billboards, the report states. Once acquired, Inglewood will transfer the land to the arena’s private developers with a covenant requiring the land be preserved for public use indefinitely. While the project is privately funded, Inglewood’s attorneys say the arena meets the standard of public use by providing residents with “access to amusement, enjoyment, and recreation,” according to the report.
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