Is California's Housing Situation Turning Around?

Population is stagnant. But housing supply is growing. Is this the beginning of a Great Correction?

1 minute read

May 14, 2024, 11:00 AM PDT

By billfulton00


Aerial view of dense housing in San Francisco Bay Area.

Jason / Adobe Stock

California’s population has begun growing again — ever so slightly. But will the housing supply ever catch up?

The cost of housing in California increased sharply during the early part of the COVID pandemic — as it did in many places. Now, even though housing growth has been sluggish, cost has leveled off. There are probably several reasons for this, not the least of which is the rapid rise in interest rates. But there may be another factor: The supply of housing, sluggish though it may be, is growing faster than the population.

To take a longer view, CP&DR looked at DOF’s estimates of change in population versus change in housing units since the 2020 Census – almost four years, during most of which California’s population declined. And the bottom line is that during that time, the supply of housing increased by 3 percent and the population declined by 1 percent.

Monday, May 6, 2024 in California Planning & Development Report

Single-family homes in a suburban neighborhood in Florida.

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power

The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

June 16, 2024 - The Guardian

Multistory apartment building under construction.

New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing

Local governments in the Volunteer State can now offer developers incentives like increased density, lower parking requirements, and priority permitting for affordable housing projects.

June 10, 2024 - Nooga Today

Aerial view of intersection in New York City with yellow cabs and zebra crosswalks.

Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths

Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

June 13, 2024 - Todd Litman

Brick high-rise apartment buildings in New York City

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply

New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

June 18 - University of Kansas

Couple on one side of desk with banker on other side looking at paperwork.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?

Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

June 18 - Shelterforce Magazine

Rendering of Glory Park in Lewisville, Texas.

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas

The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.

June 18 - Lewisville Leader

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.