Joe Matthews: California’s housing crisis is urgent, and the Legislature is stepping in
“The state of California has begun a takeover of local housing policy. That’s the big story behind the more than 100 housing bills now introduced in the Legislature. None of these proposals is up to the task of getting the state to meet its enormous housing needs. But taken together, the varied legislative proposals clearly signal the state’s intention to take a leading role in how California houses itself. The prospect of a Sacramento intervention is usually worrisome. But this one should be welcomed. The threat of the state seizing power may be the last, best hope for pressuring the biggest obstacles to new housing – local governments – to get out of the way.”