Policy: State Legislation
California has not built sufficient housing for its population for decades. It’s a fundamental reason our housing prices are so high and homelessness is so problematic. “Local control” is a huge contributor to our lack of housing production. It is inconvenient to live next to a construction sight. Residents quickly fight new housing being built close to them. The result is that nothing is built. Marin, due to its wealth and very small jurisdictions, has fought new construction more effectively than any other Bay Area County. We have had the lowest rate of housing production for almost 50 years.
As a result, housing costs have sky-rocketed. Due to the extreme nature of our housing crisis, the state is stepping in. MEHC is generally supportive of state laws that support housing production, preservation and protection.
Policy News
- Urban Land: Landmark federal housing bill anticipated to clear the path to building more housing
July 11, 2026California, Policy, State Legislation - CalMatters: CA Legislature places constitutional amendment on ballot in exchange for Jarvis group to remove tax measure.
June 25, 2026California, State Legislation - Legal Planet: Learn about the California Density Bonus Law
June 19, 2026California, State Legislation - Davis Vanguard: More about the California housing bond
June 27, 2026California, State Legislation - CalMatters: Homelessness bills to watch this legislative session
June 25, 2026California, Homelessness, State Legislation - CalMatters: Project Homekey created thousands of homes. What can we learn?
May 7, 2026California, State Legislation
Policy Advocacy
Policy Advocacy
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California’s new housing laws in 2026
Written by Lucie Hollingsworth, Senior Housing Attorney and Policy Director, Legal Aid of Marin Welcome to a new year of housing legislation! For the third year in a row, we’re…
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Digging into the new CEQA reforms: New California laws are intended to reduce obstacles to housing production
Entrenched opposition continues to hamper new housing development in Marin. Marin has a serious housing shortage. This housing shortage is not due to a shortage of land. Eighty-five per cent of our…
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Legal Update! New California Housing Laws in 2025
Written by Lucie Hollingsworth and Ethan Strull. Welcome back, all of you Marin housing policy wonks! While you were all paying more attention to the presidential race, state propositions, and…
