Panelists will explore recent litigation against cities to enforce compliance with the housing element, and the intersection of legal action, political advocacy, and grassroots organizing.  The discussion will highlight the City of San Mateo’s experience as a case study, illustrating how complex local factors can hinder compliance to upzone for new housing in even high-resource cities.  Panelists will also explore other innovative legal outcomes that can generate resources for affordable housing production and preservation, including settlements that direct funds to local affordable housing trusts or community benefit programs in lieu of attorney’s fees.  Confirmed speakers include Rick Bonilla (former Mayor for the City of San Mateo), Tom Mayhew (Farella Braun), Ali Sapirman (Housing Action Coalition).

Panelists will provide an overview of some criticisms of relying primarily on increasing the number of new development housing units on the market to solve California’s affordable housing crisis. Panelists will then explore alternative or complementary regulatory solutions aimed at increasing housing affordability and stability. The discussion will highlight regulatory tools such as rent and eviction controls, social housing, and inclusionary zoning. Speakers to be confirmed may include state lawmakers, experts in housing policy and equitable development, and tenants’ rights advocates.

California housing law involves a layered system where state laws set baseline protections for tenants, building standards, and mandates for housing production while local governments implement these, add their own rules via Housing Elements, and balanced development with community needs. Join us for a moderated discussion with leading officials from both levels of government tasked with enforcing and complying with housing laws.