A New Approach to the Housing Element Update

2025-01-07T00:27:06-07:00

Local governments face new rules as they begin updating their local Housing Elements for the 2021-29/2022-30 planning period. This brief proposes a new way for cities to approach the sites inventory to meet their housing targets, moving beyond simply identifying vacant and underutilized parcels.

A New Approach to the Housing Element Update2025-01-07T00:27:06-07:00

“I Would, If Only I Could” How Cities Can Use California’s Housing Element to Overcome Neighborhood Resistance to New Housing

2025-01-07T00:26:57-07:00

An explanation of how city councils and planning departments can use the housing element law to increase housing supply, but find themselves constrained by neighborhood-level opposition to change.

“I Would, If Only I Could” How Cities Can Use California’s Housing Element to Overcome Neighborhood Resistance to New Housing2025-01-07T00:26:57-07:00

Building Up the “Zoning Buffer”: Using Broad Upzones to Increase Housing Capacity Without Increasing Land Values

2025-01-07T00:26:43-07:00

In this paper I introduce the concept of the “zoning buffer” — the gap between the existing housing stock and the maximum number of homes allowed by current zoning — and describe how it affects land values and ultimately the production and affordability of housing.

Building Up the “Zoning Buffer”: Using Broad Upzones to Increase Housing Capacity Without Increasing Land Values2025-01-07T00:26:43-07:00

By Transit, By-Right: Impacts of Housing Development Approval Processes on Transit-Supportive Density

2025-01-07T00:26:43-07:00

This brief studies the relationship between transit ridership and the housing development process. Even if new multifamily housing is allowed on a site, a complicated, lengthy or unpredictable process could still discourage its production and thus, transit ridership.

By Transit, By-Right: Impacts of Housing Development Approval Processes on Transit-Supportive Density2025-01-07T00:26:43-07:00

A Review of California’s Process for Determining, and Accommodating Regional Housing Needs

2025-01-07T00:26:44-07:00

This background paper is meant to help the California State Auditor and legislators better understand the limitations of the RHNA process and areas for improvement.

A Review of California’s Process for Determining, and Accommodating Regional Housing Needs2025-01-07T00:26:44-07:00

Regional Housing Needs Assessment Cover Letter

2025-01-07T00:26:47-07:00

This review and cover letter was written to provide background and suggestions for Auditors Tilden and Lozano to consider in relation to the audit commissioned by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee at the request of Members Glazer, Newman, Bauer-Kahan, Portantino, Muratsuchi, Stern, and Bates.

Regional Housing Needs Assessment Cover Letter2025-01-07T00:26:47-07:00
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