March 2023: Stories, Events, and Opportunities to Discover
Expand Perspectives
Stories of efforts that can enable holistic, regenerative change in California housing and communities
Equity
- A new report shows that out of the 383 top developers in the country who generate more than $50M in revenue, only one is Latino and none are Black – reflecting the unfairness of an industry that sets a higher bar for developers of color to even compete. – NYT
- The severe shortage of affordable housing in California is the number one driver of the homelessness crisis. Which Californian’s are the most impacted? – California Budget and Policy Center
Affordability
- “Against all odds, the Mountain West — historically defined by wide-open rural living — could pioneer a model for legalizing denser urban-style development.” – Bloomberg
- Missing middle housing has been banned for decades as single family homes defined American neighborhoods. As the housing shortage continues, cities look to changing zoning laws to create more affordable housing and more multifamily buildings. – NPR
Infill Development
- A new California state program incentivizes the conversion of commercial spaces like office buildings into housing, attracting more than 50 applicants seeking funding. – CoStar
- Developers are rethinking what mixed-use communities can look like as shopping center parking lots and empty malls are becoming new sites of retail-to-residential conversions. – Urbanland
Engage and Network
Upcoming opportunities to learn about intersectional approaches and work
Image by Sergio Ruiz
Unlocking the Potential for Missing Middle Housing
March 14 | 12:30-1:30 pm PT
Join SPUR to discuss small scale housing projects like ADUs! In this virtual event you’ll learn what barriers prohibit construction of missing middle housing in California, and what can we do to reduce them.
Image by Paperkites
Affordable Housing Town Hall
March 22 | 4:30pm – 6pm PT
YIMBY Action, California YIMBY, Greenbelt Alliance, East Bay for Everyone and Housing Action Coalition are coming together to bring us an Affordable Housing Town Hall with California state legislature’s most powerful pro-housing changemakers. At this virtual event, you’ll have the opportunity to hear from legislative leaders on the housing shortage and affordability crisis.
- Casita Coalition will host What’s New in ADU Legislation to share updates on the 2023 changes to ADU law in California and what it means for ADU practitioners. This virtual event will be held Friday, March 24 11am – 12pm PT.
- Check out the LA Green Jobs: Virtual Career Fair on Wednesday, April 26 at 2:30pm- 4pm. Brought to you by USGBC-LA, this will be a great opportunity for those interested in the sustainability and green building industry. Register here!
Take Action
Ways to deepen your understanding and support initiatives advancing equity, affordability, and environmental vitality in housing
Learning Opportunitites
- The Turner Center for Housing Innovation released a new analysis on Using Emergency Housing Vouchers to Address Homelessness, and how they can be used to expand resources and quickly shelter vulnerable populations safely.
Header image courtesy of Lisa Blue on Getty Images.
