Beating the NIMBYs is almost as satisfying as beating Elder. Upzoning to create more housing supply is essential to solving the housing crisis in popular metroplexes.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation allowing the construction of duplexes on most properties with one home, a severe curtailing of single-family zoning in a state struggling with some of the nation’s highest housing prices.
The legislation, a long-sought goal for proponents of more housing construction, also makes it easier to divide existing lots into two, potentially providing the opportunity for four homes to be built where one was previously allowed.
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An analysis of the legislation released in July by the Terner Center for Housing Affordability at the University of California, Berkeley, found that 6.1 million of the state’s 7.5 million single-family lots would be eligible for the construction of duplexes or division under the new legislation. Of those, 410,000 could potentially see more units constructed, the analysis found. The rest face space limitations or wouldn’t be financially feasible.
The new law is part of a package of four bills Mr. Newsom signed Thursday intended to enable more housing construction.
Portland, Ore., and Minneapolis previously placed limits on single-family zoning, and the federal infrastructure bill supported by President Biden contains incentives for local governments to take similar steps.
It wont solve the crisis on its own. But taking the lid off of SFH zoning is a great first step.