City councils are on the front lines of California’s housing crisis. But local lawmakers who understand that the state needs to accommodate significantly more housing are stuck in a political bind. Wherever they might put new housing, neighborhood groups often spring up in opposition — and those same groups typically have money to spend or voters to turn out at the next election. What’s a well-meaning city councilperson to do? The housing element, a mandated, state-reviewed and periodically-updated component of a city’s general plan, might hold the answer. Come hear a discussion about how cities across the state can pursue pro-housing policies through their housing element, rather than through the normal municipal lawmaking channels.
+ Christopher S. Elmendorf / UC Davis School of Law
+ Paavo Monkkonen / UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
+ Ben Metcalf / Terner Center for Housing Innovation
+ Jon Wizard / YIMBY Law
+ Moira O’Neill / UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy & the Environment