Dennis Shea’s Post

In this new op-ed, Taiisa Kelly of Monarch Housing Associates explains why NJ's outdated affordable housing regulations — the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls (UHAC) — must be updated to prioritize the needs of low-income &  moderate-income New Jerseyans:

"Thanks to a recent blockbuster U.S. Supreme Court ruling on excessive and often arbitrary local fees, reform may be on the way that could help ease California’s worsening housing crisis." While there is reason for optimism, there are some unknowns around this recent ruling. Read more about what might be coming next https://buff.ly/49V7tqV #housing #HousingForAll

🏠 California's Housing Crisis and SB 9 Update 🚧 Despite the recent ruling by a Los Angeles District Court deeming Senate Bill 9 unconstitutional, the fight for more accessible housing in California is far from over. SB 9, introduced to address our state's severe housing shortage, allows property owners to split single-family lots and potentially create up to four housing units per lot. This innovative approach aimed to alleviate the skyrocketing housing costs and make homeownership more attainable. Unfortunately, the bill faced opposition and a legal challenge from several cities, leading to the recent court decision. However, this is likely just a bump in the road. Legal experts anticipate an appeal, and there's a strong belief that the appeals court will overturn this decision. As a commercial realtor committed to expanding housing opportunities, I believe it's crucial to stay informed and engaged with these developments. Expanding our housing supply is not just about building homes; it's about building communities. Let's continue to advocate for smart, sustainable solutions that will allow our neighborhoods to thrive. For more details on this, check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g_VrJFkY (Note: Article is behind a Members only login). Whether you're looking for a commercial property, or your next home, we're here to help guide you through the process - contact us today! AJ George DRE# 01353648 commercial@ajgeorge.com 858-598-3589 AJGeorge.com . . . . #AJGeorgeResimercial #ResimercialRealEstate #ResimercialRealtor #UrbanDevelopment #SB9 #RealEstateUpdate #RealEstateNews #RealEstateLegislation #AffordableHousing

Good news! Lawmakers at all levels of government and in both parties are starting to deal with housing affordability challenges by supporting policies that expand housing supply, equity and opportunity. Read more from Vox: https://lnkd.in/gwNz6cuj

This recent research is so important—for the 25 years I’ve been designing affordable housing, it has almost always been relegated to the lower income areas, with poor transit, poor air quality and low resources. I have done SO many housing projects next to train tracks and freeways. That’s where cities zoned it. BUT NOW, it has been shown overwhelmingly that this is not ok, this is not equitable, and that affordable housing deserves to be in high resourced neighborhoods. And yes, it takes a LOT more community education, outreach and collaboration to make this happen, but this is not only essential for fair housing, but its also the hard work we just love to do. And so many folks in high resourced neighborhoods that I know actually want the opportunity to house new neighbors in their hood, not over somewhere else along the tracks. (Shoutout: North Berkeley NOW!, South Berkeley NOW! East Bay 4 Everyone and CAYIMBY!) We have a long way to go to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing—-and we are here to climb that mountain as architects and activists that know the value of diversity, housing choice, and social justice in our neighborhoods.

Great News! LA Times just endorsed NO on Prop 33!! 🙏 This rent control measure could make the housing shortage worse! The opposite of what LA needs Prop 33 overturns more than 100 state housing laws and weakens the strongest statewide rent stability law in the nation. Prop 33 grants local governments broad authority to supersede California’s historic statewide renter and unjust eviction protections. Prop 33 authorizes permanent price controls, even on single-family homes and condominiums. Prop 33 enables local governments the ability to potentially hinder affordable housing development.

This is an in-depth look at the effect of the new state housing laws and some of its unintended consequences, or as this article says, intended effects: https://lnkd.in/gGxUcG62 I'm not sure all of this will come to pass, but it is a well written and researched piece.

The affordability crisis is forcing the politicians hands! Progress Over the last five years, Republican and Democratic legislators and governors in a slew of states have looked to update zoning codes, transform residential planning processes, and improve home-building and design requirements. Some states that have stepped up include Oregon, Florida, Montana, and California, as well as states like Utah and Washington. This year, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey passed state-level housing legislation, and Colorado may soon follow suit. #housingcrisis

It's disheartening to read about the court's recent ruling, striking down SB 9. Our shortage of housing in California is self-induced and single-family home (SFH) zoning is an American construct that was racially motivated. Now one state after another has either outlawed SFH zoning or is attempting make the change. It's not a red or blue issue, but states are realizing that they don't want to be in CA's position of having a huge shortage of housing. We cannot let misguided rulings like this one perpetuate the housing crisis and discriminatory policies of the past. California must appeal this ruling and take bold action to increase housing supply through zoning reform. Upholding SB 9 is crucial for adding modest density, creating more affordable housing options, and promoting inclusive communities. It's time we prioritize housing as a human right over antiquated notions of preserving bedroom communities. The future of California's economy and society depends on our ability to build more homes for all income levels. https://lnkd.in/geRveeBF https://lnkd.in/gsnPZ8P2

Arlington's "missing middle" plan, mirroring initiatives in other parts of the country, aims to address housing affordability with denser options in this pricey area (median home price around $760,000). The proposal has sparked a divide between renters, racial-justice advocates, and urbanist groups backing it for dismantling discriminatory housing laws, and long-time homeowners cautioning against potential neighborhood strain. As high-demand markets call for more housing solutions in affluent neighborhoods, similar reactions are surfacing nationwide. Elected officials are increasingly driving land-use changes to tackle housing challenges, prompting legal battles from dissenting parties. The upcoming Arlington bench trial will delve into whether homeowners opposing the plan have grounds to sue and if Arlington adhered to required state law studies for the Expanded Housing Options (EHO) policy.