patrick.net

Paywall. Could you summarize the article's points?

Sorry about the paywall. I believe the paywall can be overcome by accessing it via google news.

The main point is the need for more deregulation of housing construction industry in CA but it provides a number of excellent examples of why and how we have regulated affordable housing out of reach for most Californians.

tovarichpeter says

The main point is the need for more deregulation of housing construction industry in CA but it provides a number of excellent examples of why and how we have regulated affordable housing out of reach for most Californians.

Gentle Reader,

if only California would get around to deregulation of the real estate construction industry, but it won't. See, if that was actually done, then house prices would start to fall. Those that were last in would start to see themselves upside-down in their value vs. what was owed on the property. This won't end well.

Finally, once you get into a situation, war, or regulation of real estate construction, you're screwed if you ever want to get out the regulatory business, the war that cannot be won, etc. A lot of cash has been made and invested under the current regime. The backlash will be horrific. Best wait until the next earth quake in San Francisco. Usually we just keep killing until after the next election in a war that has "gone south" on us.

Regards,
Roidy

Patrick says

Could you summarize the article's points?

Nimby's.

There are more reasons than that. Being here first hand I can tell you. Nimby is the least of the issues here.

I was looking at nice (very nice) detached homes in Tracy going for 80 to 100 dollars per square foot. That's five to twenty percent of the cost of similar homes closer to the coast aka peninsula/east bay. We were wondering, because a friend is getting divorced and has a job out there. As it turns out, they can divorce, split the equity, she can buy a house the same size if not better quality in Tracy, and have 150K left over.

California has lots of affordable housing, it just depends on where you insist on living.

Too many people profited so far. No reason to do anything. Until the entire state starts falling off a cliff.

Ceffer says

I was looking at nice (very nice) detached homes in Tracy going for 80 to 100 dollars per square foot.

Have you ever tried the commute from Tracy over the 580 on a weekday?? My friends drove on a weekend and bought a home and then realized the hell of a commute on a weekday!