Single family homes under construction on an empty streetOPINION — In a recent commentary, the California Building Industry Association suggested it’s the impact fees paid by developers that make it hard to build homes Californians can afford. While that sounds convenient, it doesn’t stand up to the facts or to common sense if we just ask the obvious follow-up question: Then what?
Capitol Weekly Editor Rich Ehisen interviews Asm. Buffy Wicks at a Conference on Housing, Feb. 24, 2026 in Sacramento. Photo by Joha HarrisonPanelists grappled with California’s housing crisis Tuesday at Capitol Weekly’s first conference of 2026, painting a discouraging picture of the current state of affairs in the Golden State. Panels explored permitting reform, the impact of environmental concerns and new ideas for addressing affordability, punctuated by a keynote address from Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), who acknowledged the loads of work that still needs to be done but also sounded an optimistic note that things could improve in California.
Flag of California and Statue of Liberty on sky background. Image by Arseniy45.OPINION – In this moment of both challenge and opportunity, California has the chance to lead by example. Let’s seize it—for the health of our communities, our neighborhoods’ resilience, and our planet’s future.
Image by mohd izzuanOPINION – California is grappling with three simultaneous crises: a shortage of affordable housing, land use decisions that subject vulnerable people and communities to dirty air and water, and rapid climate change that has led to record heat waves and dangerous wildfires. We count on our lawmakers to write and pass laws to combat these challenges. Unfortunately, AB 1893, authored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and sponsored by Attorney General Rob Bonta, will make them worse.
Housing image by zimmytwsOPINION: Los Angeles now exempts all affordable housing developments of more than 49 units from undergoing a site plan review – reducing development costs and speeding up the final approval of critical housing projects, but there is still resistance to new construction affordable housing due to pre-existing beliefs about its impact on neighborhoods and communities.
The high cost of living, image by William PotterOPINION – A groundbreaking and startling new report shows California is losing the battle to bring people out of homelessness because living in our state is simply unaffordable.
Tie dye house key by William Hager, ShutterstockOPINION: In California, where the housing affordability crisis only has worsened over the years, LGBTQ+ tenants are struggling to maintain stable, affordable housing.
Image by pbk-pg via ShutterstockOPINION – California’s housing affordability crisis isn’t getting better. And outdated ways of thinking have caused us to neglect one possible path toward fixing it.
Rents and home sale prices remain at historically high levels and home prices have only eased
Chris Nichols, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Peter Cohen, Mark Stivers and Chione Fleagal at A Conference on Housing, March 9, 2023. Photo By Scott Duncan, Capitol WeeklyCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly’s Conference on Housing, and presents Panel 2: Affordable Housing.
An elderly woman uses a walker to help her navigate a California street. (Photo: frantic00, via Shutterstock)OPINION: Look around. California’s population is aging and growing more diverse. Aging independently in one’s own home with economic security has become particularly challenging for too many older adults who for years have endured discrimination, inequities and health disparities. These challenges have only intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic and amid surging costs of living.