I Have Some Questions for the Democrats Who Want to Run California

California’s housing crisis stems from a complex intersection of high construction costs, restrictive local zoning, and bureaucratic inefficiency. To accelerate development, candidates emphasize shifting from reliance on expensive, slow-moving litigation toward state-level incentives and standardized permitting processes. Modular construction and the consolidation of fragmented funding sources are proposed as essential strategies to lower costs and increase housing supply. Addressing homelessness requires a dual approach: prioritizing immediate interim housing with privacy and pet-friendly policies, alongside robust rental assistance to prevent displacement. While some advocate for capping local impact fees and streamlining environmental reviews, others highlight the necessity of holding cities accountable through state-mandated production targets. Ultimately, the path to affordability involves balancing labor standards with the urgent need for rapid, cost-effective construction to accommodate a growing population and mitigate the state's severe housing shortage.