What the top candidates for California governor plan to do about the state’s affordable housing problem:
Republican State Assemblyman Travis Allen
Allen, who represents the state's 72nd District, issued this statement on the affordable housing issue:
California’s housing shortage is like many other problems in this state -- it's been created by decades of failed Democrat policies. Excessive government regulations, exorbitant state and local fees, and predatory lawsuits have put home ownership out of reach of many Californians and have directly contributed to the explosion of homelessness in our state.
The only way solve this problem and make housing affordable for every Californian, is not with more government mandates and dense urban development, but by freeing Californians to build more housing at every price point in every region across the state. This includes building real homes that Californians want to live in, single family homes with a front yard and a back yard in safe neighborhoods.
As the next Governor of California I will lower unnecessary taxes and fees, enact comprehensive CEQA regulatory reform, and expand local control of building projects so California can build a million new homes over the next four years. We must send a message that California is open for business and building again, and give every hard-working Californian the ability to achieve the California dream.
Democrat/current State Treasurer John Chiang
On his campaign website, Chiang proposed the following:
-- New funding for housing (2 bills to generate revenue)
-- Incentives for cities and counties to increase housing
-- Reduce homelessness by creating state “rehousing program”
-- Incentives to build mixed-income housing rentals (more apartment buildings)
-- Housing Czar to oversee housing issue and homeless across the state
Democrat Delaine Eastin
Eastin, a former state Assemblywoman and ex-state superintendent of public instruction, believes the state must do the following:
-- Build 1 million housing units in the next four years
-- Bring back and modernize the state’s redevelopment
-- Eastin has made her stance clear when it comes to increased rights for renters. She hopes to repeal laws against rent control and the conversion of affordable housing units
-- Eastin wants a state of emergency declared when it comes to addressing the state’s homeless situation
Democrat/current State Lieutenant Gov. Gavin Newsom
Newsom has experience dealing with housing issues during his time as San Francisco’s mayor. He has promised to:
-- Develop 3.5 million housing units by 2025
-- Invest in affordable housing by pushing support for a $4 billion housing bond on the November 2018 ballot
-- Promote a partnership program that allows cities to partner with counties and public agencies to help find resources to develop housing projects
-- Encourage the private sector to create housing for working middle-class families and those with moderate incomes as well
-- Incentivize the production of affordable housing
-- Implement stronger protections for tenants and support rent control
-- Create tools and programs that will help increase housing production throughout the state
-- Improve the accessibility for those seeking affordable housing
Democrat Amanda Renteria
Renteria, an integral aide for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, listed a “Bill of Rights” she will install if elected governor.
In a section dedicated to the affordable housing issue in the state, Renteria said she wants to:
-- Declare homelessness a State of Emergency in our hardest hit cities in order to unlock new tools for immediately addressing homelessness
-- Support passage of this year’s $4 billion housing bond, which will provide additional funds for low income housing and help to cover the cost of home loans for veterans
-- Repeal Costa-Hawkins, which prevents local communities from making their own decisions on rent control
-- Expand tax credits and housing assistance for low income and middle-class families
-- Partner with cities and counties to solicit federal funds for housing development
Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa
The former Los Angeles mayor has laid out his plans to battle the rising costs of housing in the state on his website. Among his proposals:
-- Bring back reformed community redevelopment agencies
-- Make changes to permit laws to
-- Have a $10 billion fund to aid in the building of “granny flats” or “in-law units"
-- Create a regional housing trust fund that the entire state contributes to
-- Develop programs that can give housing ownership opportunities for low-income citizens
-- Find ways to lower construction costs via technology advances
Republican attorney John Cox
We reached out to Cox's camapign office, but representatives have not called back
