New Poll Supports Council’s Work to Reform CEQA, Land Use Laws

A new Public Policy Institute of California poll finds that Californians continue to identify housing costs as their top issue and that they continue to want governments to allow more housing construction as a response to that concern. The research also finds that support for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which is a significant barrier to housing production, is eroding. The findings are welcome news to the Bay Area Council, which has long advocated for reforming CEQA, bringing this landmark environmental law into the 21^st century and ending abuse of the law to block housing.

Majorities of the state say they favor reforms to CEQA and to other land use laws that prevent the production of housing, including multifamily housing in their neighborhoods, while also saying that they personally would prefer to live in a single-family house. The research also finds that high housing prices are actually likely reducing the populations of cities, presenting concerning implications for future taxes bases. To participate in the Council’s housing policy work, please contact Vice President Louis Mirante.