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
- Vox: There is a lasting impact on housing laws in the face of wildfires
August 28, 2026California, Fire, State Legislation - CalMatters: California condo construction bill dies in the Senate
September 1, 2026California, State Legislation - Marin IJ: Dick Spotswood speaks favorably of a regional housing bond
August 4, 2026Marin County, Funding Affordable Housing, State Legislation - Marin IJ: Housing laws are helping, but progress is slow
July 23, 2026California, State Legislation, Written by Call Marin Home - 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
Policy Advocacy
Policy Advocacy
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Housing is on the ballot in November: Prop 1 and Prop 43
Approved, not built Marin has over 2,000 approved affordable housing homes waiting to be built, but many remain stalled because there isn’t enough funding. Every year, affordable housing developments compete…
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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…
