By Robert D. Calloway
2019 PSAR President
One of the most serious threats to our state’s future is lack of housing supply. This is the root of the housing crisis. With every delay to address the root cause of the crisis, it means the more we deny hard-working Californians the quality of life they deserve. Our state’s legislators have spoken with great passion about solving the housing crisis. They make dramatic-sounding statements about how housing is the most critical issue facing California. Yet, those same lawmakers are missing in action and haven’t been willing to make the tough votes to move forward policies that advance a solution.
Many of us were disappointed at our Sacramento politicians and their recent delay until next year of a Senate bill that would have remade California’s zoning laws to increase the housing and apartment development around major transit hubs and job centers. The Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® (PSAR), as well as the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R), were proud to support SB 50, which would have required a certain portion of affordable units, ensuring the new housing would help all Californians. But, the bill was stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee leading to the decision to hold SB 50 until 2020, apparently due to opposition to its provisions that would override local zoning laws.
While Capital politicians display their reluctance to do what we elected them to do, California residents continue to suffer. A recent survey from the Public Policy Institute of California revealed that 52 percent of California adults and 45 percent of likely voters say their housing costs are causing financial strains, particularly 67 percent of renters.
California is at a tipping point of choosing a future that denies our children the same housing opportunities we’ve had. Inactivity by the legislative leadership is pointing to a future that will force the next generation to make the difficult, gut-wrenching decision of whether to stay in California with a poorer quality of life or move out of state to afford a decent place to live. Californians deserve a place to call home without worrying about putting food on the table for their kids. We expected our political leaders would be willing to take bold action to solve this man-made crisis, even at the risk of their political future. But, there has been no discernable progress on eliminating obstacles, including burdensome regulations, which are hindering more housing construction.
Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke to our members at a recent CAR meeting. In his speech, he admitted that we don’t have enough housing supply to meet the demand. He pledged millions of new homes during his campaign for governor last year. Unfortunately, our elected lawmakers in the state houses are not joining the governor in prioritizing action to solve the supply crisis. Time is running out to protect the opportunity for all Californians to continue calling the Golden State home.