OAKLAND POISED FOR HOUSING BOOM

With housing costs (and demand) soaring in San Francisco and elsewhere in the region, Oakland is poised to see a major surge in new residential real estate development. Rachel Flynn, Director of Oakland’s Planning and Building Development, told a packed house at the Housing and Sustainable Development Committee meeting on Tuesday (Nov. 25) that the city is ready to take advantage of this opportunity. Flynn talked about Oakland’s solid fundamentals – excellent location, extensive public transportation options, a rich cultural diversity, and competitive real estate pricing – and identified areas where environmental approvals are already in place that can help speed development. Flynn’s message was clear: Oakland wants to entice developers and residents, and it is becoming a better investment all the time.

The Committee also heard from Bay Area Council Board member Kristina Lawson, a partner with Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, on efforts to update the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and from Bay Area Council Vice President Matt Regan on the latest developments regarding the Regional Prosperity Plan being developed through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). Thank you to Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP for hosting us. To engage in our housing policy work, contact Policy Associate Brianne Riley.