Feb 04 2025 51 mins 5
Discover why building a home in California now costs over $1.2 million per unit as we navigate the maze of the state's housing crisis with Gary London and Jennifer Hernandez. These experts shed light on the staggering decline in permits for single and multifamily homes and discuss why, despite numerous housing laws, the production needle remains stuck. We unravel the complex tapestry of regulatory barriers and economic pressures that are stalling housing projects and stress the critical role of high-paying jobs in allowing consumers to afford these increasingly expensive homes.
In this episode, we confront the inefficiencies plaguing affordable housing financing. By dissecting the current reliance on public funding and tax credits, we examine how this model sidelines private developers and disproportionately burdens low-income families. We also explore the geographic variations in building permits across Southern California and analyze how cutting-edge technologies like AI and autonomous vehicles could reshape living spaces and potentially offer fresh solutions to these pressing housing issues.
Our journey delves into the innovative solutions that could transform housing development, particularly in urban areas like Berkeley. We spotlight the local opposition that high-density projects face and consider alternative solutions such as townhomes and detached condos. This episode also considers the broader global context, discussing how the housing challenges in California reverberate in other parts of the world. Join us as we ponder generational shifts and new perspectives that could empower future generations to chart a new course in housing development, emphasizing the need for tools that can shape a more sustainable and affordable future.
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The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff.
Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world.
For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or [email protected].
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This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.
