Cascade Village sounds like a mountain hamlet, but it’s the name of a somewhat shabby block of 74 low-rent apartments in the southern edge of Sacramento. A few days ago, Sacramento city officials announced that they will float a $25 million bond and loan the proceeds to the 55-year-old complex’s...
Werner: Don’t Blame Environmental Law for California’s Housing Crisis
California is facing a housing crisis of unprecedented proportions. Lower-income residents across the state must choose whether to pay for rent or food. People who can’t cover housing costs are forced to leave their homes, their neighborhoods and even the state. But as legislators resume discussions regarding policy solutions, we...
Walters: Should California Revive Redevelopment?
An anything-is-possible attitude enveloped post-World War II America, fueling ambitious undertakings such as a nationwide network of freeways, nuclear power so inexpensive that it wouldn’t need to be metered, and exploring outer space. It also spawned what was called “redevelopment,” a tool that would, it was said, clean up inner...
In Modesto, Uncle Shelby's Old House Is Now a Rental
Housing and the stability it promises can be hard to find in California. Take the family of Shelby Humphrey, my great uncle on my mom’s side. After the Second World War, he, his wife Doris, and their 10 children left Southern California for Modesto. They rented 17 different places while...
This Tiny Redlands Home Once Hosted Thanksgiving for 50
On Thanksgiving, I wish I were back at the tiny house at 830 Ohio Street, in one of the oldest sections of one of the Inland Empire’s oldest cities, Redlands. It was there that I spent Turkey Day as a kid. Somehow, 50 or more of my relatives would squeeze...
This $2M Tract Home Embodies Crisis and Solutions: Joe Mathews
No home in the world matters more to me than my paternal grandparents’ small blue house at the bottom of a windswept hill in the Bay Area city of San Mateo. But my recent visit was different. While the house still belongs to my family, my grandparents are both dead....
Face-Off for Governor: Gavin Newsom vs. John Cox
Republican John Cox and Democrat Gavin Newsom, the candidates for California governor, begin by talking to CALmatters' reporters and editors about how they'd run the Golden State differently from the current officeholder, Gov. Jerry Brown. Other Covered Topics The two also discuss at these timestamps: — Improving schools (1:20) —...
Here's Why Rent Control Measure Would Worsen Housing Crisis
California’s housing crisis has gotten the attention of the media, but it is often discussed as an issue that primarily impacts coastal communities. Despite the focus on the Bay Area and Los Angeles, parts of the Central Valley are feeling the housing pinch as well. As California’s population continues to...
Renteria Wants to Go from Valley to Governor’s Mansion
Amanda Renteria knew that entering the race to be California’s next governor would be challenging, but that’s never stopped her before. Renteria grew up in Woodlake (Tulare County) and still takes pride in being the first female and Hispanic from her school to attend Stanford University. A career in public service...
Housing Crisis: Residents Told To Leave After 161 Violations Found
Nearly half of the residents who call an RV park on the outskirts of Mendota home are being told to leave. This comes after a state inspection found 161 health and safety violations. The California Housing and Community Development department inspected the property after being alerted to conditions there by GV...