California is aiming high with its ambitious goal of building 2.5 million homes by 2030, and Governor Gavin Newsom is pulling out all the stops to make it happen. Recently signed legislation promises to speed up construction, but if building permits are anything to go by, it looks like they’re stuck in the slow lane. Seven years after Newsom first proposed a 3.5 million home target, the actual number of permits issued remains dire— hovering around a quarter of what the state needs. That’s a lot of concrete and a lot of missed deadlines ahead!
Nolan Gray from California YIMBY (Yes in My Backyard) joined the conversation to discuss the heavy lifting that still needs to be done. While new policies to streamline housing development sound impressive on paper, high construction costs and economic headwinds are raining on this shiny parade. It seems like the state is saying, “Let’s build a house!” while the construction teams are stuck figuring out how to assemble the IKEA furniture inside.
And let’s not forget about the exciting news of new housing accountability initiatives! Newsom’s administration is going after cities that don’t follow housing laws, with Elk Grove getting a mention in the spotlight. It’s either going to lead to a housing revolution or more angry residents raising their voices about their dream homes remaining just that—a dream. After all, who doesn’t want to live in a home that’s not only full of hope but also actually built?
So, what are your thoughts? Is California’s 2030 housing goal realistic, or is the state just gearing up for a major construction comedy? Drop your thoughts below, and let’s see if the dream can become a reality!
