Ending discriminatory housing policies.

The housing crisis disproportionately impacts communities of color. Reforming our housing policy requires that we recognize the impact of decades of redlining—deliberate policies in the US and California designed to create and maintain whites-only neighborhoods and deny mortgages to non-white applicants. Prioritizing racial equity as well as combating the discrimination of other disadvantaged groups must be a central component of reform.

Increasing homeownership opportunities.

Only around 30% of Californians can currently afford to buy a median-priced home in the state. Homeownership is the primary way most Californians are able to build wealth and policies should focus on dramatically increasing ownership opportunities. This includes increasing the supply of more affordable entry level homes and promoting minority homeownership and local minority builders and contractors.

Prioritizing vulnerable communities.

Housing production in the neighborhoods most impacted by the housing crisis and most at risk of displacement should prioritize the well-being and inclusion of existing residents, businesses, and workers. This means elevating projects that benefit residents, creating new opportunities for developers, builders, small businesses, and workers in the community, and enabling underserved groups to build wealth through homeownership.

Bringing down skyrocketing housing costs.

California’s housing crisis is negatively impacting hardworking Californians, including essential workers such as teachers, care givers, grocery store workers, and more. Policies should encourage housing developments that allow low- and middle-income Californians to rent or buy a home near their job, public transit, and community resources.