Big picture: HCD has provided new clarity, and we are full steam ahead on SB 79 implementation. HCD just released a new advisory memo to help California’s Metropolitan Planning Organizations map SB 79’s coverage in the state’s 4 major metros.…
The Homework: March 20, 2026
We celebrate an SB 684 and SB 1123 success. We also look at how housing policy is climate policy, and show the high costs of LA’s long wait for building permits.
Economists Put a Price on Obtaining a Building Permit in LA. It’s Not Small.
If you want to build something in Los Angeles County, waiting for a permit takes time — and now there’s a study estimating the cost of that wait. Researchers find that vacant land with an approved building permit sells for…
The Most Bipartisan Climate Policy is Housing Policy
The average American spends 170% more time stuck in traffic today than in 1980, and a new report argues that this is because uncoordinated state and local zoning decisions have made car dependence the default, pushing people toward longer drives…
The Homework: February 26, 2026
Our 2026 legislative package is nearly complete! We also shine a light on the black box of building codes, and look at the financial burden of local impact fees.
How Cities Use Government Housing Subsidies for … Parks and Roads?
Across the state of California, cities, school districts, and utility agencies levy “impact fees” on new housing construction to pay for roads, parks, sewers, and other public services. These fees are often applied equally to both market-rate and government-subsidized affordable…
Shining a Light on the Black Box of Building Codes
Modern building codes are designed to ensure the safety and comfort of the residents of new buildings. By regulating issues such as building materials, fire safety, stairway design, and other common building elements, building codes help make sure that our…
Washington Post: A ground-floor Costco is proving what’s broken in housing
Building Beautiful Homes
The Next Phase of California’s Pro-Housing Reforms By Eduardo Mendoza California is finally making it easier to build more housing – but the next fight is whether people like what gets built. Ugly and cheap-looking buildings can turn housing-neutral voters…
The Homework: January 26, 2026
Here’s a preview of our 2026 legislative agenda. We also look at how the housing shortage punishes the poor, and how California’s transportation policies have undermined climate progress.