California’s housing crisis is being driven by political hesitation, outdated zoning choices, and a regulatory and fiscal framework that often undermines the goals of elected leaders, resulting in low housing production and rising costs.
California landlords will be required to provide all apartments with a working stove and refrigerator starting January 1, 2026, ending the decades-long phenomenon of tenants having to buy their own appliances.
A new analysis by UCLA associate professor Zachary Steinert-Threlkeld suggests that most Angelenos support new housing construction, challenging the long-standing narrative that Los Angeles is dominated by NIMBY sentiment.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has urged Governor Gavin Newsom to veto Senate Bill 79, which seeks to accelerate housing development statewide, arguing that it poses significant risks to Los Angeles communities and undermines local control, while housing advocates argue that the bill is necessary to address California’s housing and climate crises.
The Los Angeles City Council narrowly voted to oppose SB 79, a state housing bill that would allow mid-rise apartments near major transit stops with affordable units, drawing criticism from housing advocates and pro-housing groups who argue the city is prioritizing wealthy elites over working-class Angelenos.
Claremont City Councilmember Jed Leano argues that California’s housing affordability crisis is caused by a lack of homes and a political process that favors obstruction over solutions, and he supports SB 79, a state housing bill that would allow more housing to be built near publicly funded transit stops, bypassing some of the approval hurdles that give veto power to homeowners opposed to new development.
SB 79, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener, aims to address California’s housing crisis by allowing more homes near transit stations, which would reduce commute times, boost productivity, and reduce turnover, while also freeing up thousands of dollars for local economic activity.