Several pro-housing bills — lowering ADU costs, speeding approval of transit-area high-rises, and blocking local delay tactics — await Gov. Newsom’s signature; research shows which types of cities tend to build more housing… and more
How Local Politics Influence Housing Affordability
California needs at least 2.5 million new homes by 2030, but most cities are still falling short. A new study examines whether this shortfall is associated with the politics of who lives in these cities, and how those politics determine…
The Case for Filtering and Moving Chains: Evidence from Honolulu
Does building new housing lead to lower rents in older housing? A new study out of Honolulu tests that claim by tracking “moving chains” in a single building, The Central, a 512-home tower in Honolulu, completed in 2021. Each older…
Fast Company Names California YIMBY 2026 “World Changing Ideas” Winner
Nine years of policy innovation, 41 new pro-housing laws, and a winning playbook for national housing abundance “We were told it was impossible to change the rules that banned new homes. We did it anyway.” SACRAMENTO – Today, California YIMBY was…
The Homework: September 1, 2026
We recap a successful legislative session, examine the impact of CA’s Density Bonus Law, and show how code changes impact housing costs.
Cracking the Code on High Rents
While zoning and permitting delays get much of the blame for high housing costs, building codes are an oft-overlooked contributor. These codes set minimum construction standards, such as for structural and electrical safety, and fire protection. And most U.S. apartment…
The Housing that Comes with a Bonus: More Housing
California has advanced several housing reforms over the past decade to tackle high costs, but one 1979 law—the Density Bonus Law—has become one of the most-used tools for homebuilders to get their housing approved by cities and counties. The Bonus…
California Legislature Votes to Allow Homeowners to Build Two ADUs
AB 956 Strengthens and Clarifies ADU Laws for HOAs, Large Lots “One ADU is great; two ADUs is even better” Los Angeles – Today, the California Legislature voted to approve AB 956, a bill by Asm. Sharon Quirk-Silva (Fullerton) that…
California Legislature Votes to Make Local Housing Fees Transparent
SB 1014 Requires Cities to Disclose All Local Requirements “Home builders deserve to know up front what their projects will cost” Los Angeles – Today, the California Legislature voted to approve SB 1014, a bill by Sen. Tim Grayson (Concord)…
California Legislature Votes to Expand Access to Townhomes, Condos
SB 1116 Strengthens the Starter Home Revitalization Act “We’re creating more pathways to homeownership for California families” Los Angeles – Today, the California Legislature voted to approve SB 1116, a bill which strengthens the Starter Home Revitalization Act (SB 684…