A Prod for Decent Housing

The California Legislature needs to prod cities and counties to encourage the decent housing so sorely needed in most of the state, especially for middle- and lower-income families. There is already a state law that requires local governments to approve a reasonable housing plan that meets local needs, including affordable homes and apartments, but it lacks enforcement teeth. A bill sponsored by state Sen. Joe Dunn (D-Santa Ana) would cure that.

Many communities, largely affluent and awash with the not-in-my-backyard syndrome, have not complied with the 1969 law because they face little or no consequence. They insist there is no available land when in reality they don’t want affordable housing, or the people who would live in it, next door.

Unless more housing is built for average workers close to their jobs, costs for their services will rise, commutes will get longer and slower and air pollution will worsen. This is aside from the misery caused to families who lack decent housing. The worst examples have been in Silicon Valley, but Los Angeles and Orange County also rate poorly on housing affordability and availability.

Local governments are not required to build housing, but they must not constrain it. In addition to having solid housing plans, some cities and counties may have to change zoning to permit higher density. In a built-out city like L.A., which is not in compliance with current law, there could be in-fill units, more areas zoned for multiple units and even rehabilitation of existing housing.

Under current law, housing advocates have to go to court to get localities to comply. Dunn’s proposal, SB 910, would give local governments ample time, about five years, to get their housing plans in order. After that, they would face a substantial loss of gasoline tax revenues, up to $1.5 million annually. The money would be redistributed to local governments that are in compliance. Having a plan and the right zoning mix does not guarantee that housing will be built, but it certainly provides a boost.

California needs to build at least 200,000 houses and apartments every year for the next two decades to keep up with job and population growth. That won’t happen without both carrots and sticks from state government, and SB 910 is a good start.