Builder's Remedy to Increase Statewide Construction

Back in the 1990s - faced with a housing crisis we know all too well - California passed a law colloquially known as the "Builder's Remedy."  Builders, facing opposition for NIMBYs regarding housing construction, were given the ability to have their projects approved at the state rather than local level.  This approval would be granted if the city in which the building was to occur had not put forth a reasonable housing plan to the state and the project contained 20% low income or 100% middle income housing.

This law was largely left unused during the 90s, but recently Santa Monica found itself with 4,000 units that were approved at the state level.  Redondo Beach found itself in a similar situation.  This is sure to initiate a legal brawl (they lawyers always seem to come out OK) that will likely cause cities to become serious about developing and implementing housing plans called housing "elements."  It has been the lack of planning (city councils don't want to lose elections over proposing more housing) and accountability for actually constructing homes that have caused California to be the epicenter of the housing crisis.

For all those on social media exclaiming how they are leaving California - we say a heartfelt and appreciative goodbye.  Currently California needs 3 million more homes to meet demand and stabilize prices - fewer people here will help reduce that number.  Sometimes I wonder if interminable growth is the answer to anything.