California Gov. Gavin Newsom Takes Aim at San Francisco’s Housing Crisis
In a bold move, California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently unveiled a groundbreaking report exposing the deep-rooted issues plaguing San Francisco’s housing policies and permitting. Not only are these practices hindering new housing development, but they are also in direct violation of state law.
The report, which highlights decades-long problems and labels San Francisco’s practices as the worst in the state, has prompted Gov. Newsom to take swift action. His plan includes expediting development, streamlining environmental reviews, and enhancing transparency while eliminating subjectivity from planning review processes.
“We must acknowledge that California’s affordability crisis is a result of our own decisions, particularly when it comes to limiting the creation of much-needed housing,” stated Gov. Newsom in a press release. “Nowhere is this more evident than in San Francisco.”
Gov. Newsom sees this report as a crucial first step towards more efficient development. He emphasizes the need to confront these issues head-on in order to find viable solutions.
“This report serves as a vital roadmap to address the longstanding obstacles that have hindered San Francisco’s housing growth,” explained Gov. Newsom. “City leaders have shown a willingness to collaborate and work towards resolving these issues.”
According to the report, San Francisco is currently failing to comply with state mandates aimed at increasing housing availability, leaving it vulnerable to legal action.
A view of homes and apartments in San Francisco, on June 13, 2018. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Shockingly, housing projects in San Francisco endure the lengthiest approval timelines in the state, averaging 523 days compared to the next slowest city, South San Francisco, which takes 385 days. Furthermore, the report reveals that it takes an additional 605 days, on average, to issue building permits for approved projects—four times the state average.
When compared to similar developments in the Bay Area, San Francisco’s processes are a staggering three years slower than Oakland, as concluded by the report.
To combat the housing affordability crisis, officials aim to add 2.5 million homes statewide within the next eight years, including one million units specifically designated for low-income families.
However, at the current rate of progress, San Francisco will not meet the state’s goal of adding over 82,000 housing units until 2031, according to the report.
Compounding the problem, San Francisco boasts the highest construction costs in California and a median rent price exceeding $3,500, as highlighted in the report.
Reviewing permit applications often leads to extensive delays and inconsistent outcomes, with political influences from city officials impacting the review process and subsequently impeding housing construction, the report reveals. This comprehensive investigation was conducted by the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development in collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley.
A sign is posted in front of a home for sale in San Francisco on May 11, 2023. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
“San Francisco’s notoriously complex, cumbersome, and unpredictable housing approval process has rightfully caught the state’s attention, as confirmed by this thorough investigation conducted by the housing department and UC Berkeley,” stated Gustavo Velasquez, director of the housing department, in the governor’s press release. “We have outlined specific actions to bring the city into compliance, ushering in a new era of increased housing supply and affordability.”
The steps to address the city’s housing delays include 18 required actions and 10 recommended actions. These measures encompass eliminating subjectivity in review processes, reforming local environmental review practices, reducing the number of administrative appeals, expediting and standardizing permitting, and enhancing transparency and accountability throughout the entire process.
“Ultimately, these efforts will help curb displacement and make it possible for working-class families to reclaim their place in the city,” added Mr. Velasquez.
How does Gov. Newsom’s plan propose to streamline environmental reviews and expedite the housing development process in San Francisco?
Co’s housing crisis shows no signs of relief. The report argues that regulatory barriers are at the heart of the problem, causing delays and discouraging development.
To address this issue, Gov. Newsom’s plan includes several key initiatives. Firstly, he aims to expedite the development process by streamlining environmental reviews. These reviews often create significant bottlenecks and unnecessary delays, hindering housing construction. By making this process more efficient, developers can move forward with their projects more swiftly.
Additionally, Gov. Newsom emphasizes the importance of transparency in the planning review process. He believes that eliminating subjectivity from these processes will lead to fair and equitable decisions. This approach will not only speed up the approval process but also ensure that developments meet the necessary requirements without unnecessary barriers.
In his press release, Gov. Newsom recognizes that the housing crisis is a result of California’s own decisions and actions. He highlights the need for collaboration in finding viable solutions to address the longstanding obstacles hindering San Francisco’s housing growth. By acknowledging these issues and taking decisive action, Gov. Newsom aims to pave the way for efficient and sustainable development in the city.
The report reveals that San Francisco is failing to comply with state mandates aimed at increasing housing availability. This leaves the city vulnerable to legal action and further hinders the progress in addressing the housing crisis. With the release of this report, Gov. Newsom hopes to bring attention to these violations and encourage the necessary changes to ensure compliance.
The shocking statistics presented in the report underscore the urgency of the problem. San Francisco has the lengthiest approval timelines for housing projects in the state, significantly delaying the construction process. These delays, coupled with the lengthy process of issuing building permits, contribute to the overall sluggishness of housing development in the city.
To combat the housing affordability crisis, officials aim to add 2.5 million homes statewide in the next eight years, with a specific focus on one million units designated for low-income families. However, the current rate of progress in San Francisco suggests that meeting these targets will be a considerable challenge.
The housing crisis in San Francisco requires immediate and decisive action. With Gov. Newsom’s bold plan and the release of this groundbreaking report, there is hope for change. By addressing the deep-rooted issues plaguing housing policies and permitting, San Francisco can pave the way for a more affordable and sustainable future. It is imperative that city leaders and stakeholders come together to implement the necessary changes and ensure that the housing needs of the community are met.
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