Contra costa housing policy

California’s housing crisis is an existential one, therefore we believe that addressing it is paramount. Barriers to more housing development should be reduced and a speedy approval process that outpaces demand must be prioritized. As young people, we should be able to afford to live in the cities we grew up in.

 
 

Policy 1

Upzone to allow higher densities in high-opportunity areas.

Policy 2

Upzone to allow multi-family housing in all single-family neighborhoods within 1 miles of a BART stop of other regional transit network stop.

Policy 3

Increase height limits in zoning districts that allow multi-family housing by at least half a story every RHNA cycle, up to six stories.

 

Additional Policies

  1. Increase parcel taxes on single-family homes to finance affordable housing for low- and very low-income earners.

  2. Reduce permit processing times in compliance with the Permit Streamlining Act or further.

  3. Increase permitting accountability by tracking processing times by permit and posting the findings and data on the governing agency's website.

  4. Implement rent stabilization measures that exempt new construction from all price controls. Require right of first return for renters who are displaced from price-controlled homes by new development.

  5. Reform the California Environmental Quality Act to prevent its abuse, which often targets housing construction, especially in its judicial review.

  6. Allow fourplexes within 1 mile of all transit stops and freeway on-ramp.

  7. Allow lot splits for all lots over 0.5 acres within 1 mile of a transit stop or freeway on-ramp, allowing fourplexes on each newly created lot.

  8. Support bills such as “AB23 - Public housing.”

  9. Support the creation of a statewide public housing agency.

  10. Advocate for infill housing generally, above and beyond particular policy solutions.