The sprawl has allowed people to live closer to nature and buy homes in more affordable parts of the state where it’s cheaper and easier to build. But it’s also left millions vulnerable…
Margie Freedman, who lives in the Monte Vista Villas townhome development in the Oakland Hills, is one of them. Freedman, who has struggled to find affordable homeowners insurance as insurers have become increasingly reluctant to cover properties in fire-prone areas, thinks market forces, rather than legislation, will ultimately control where housing is built.
But housing advocates blame policies restricting denser development in cities and suburbs for pushing new housing farther into wooded foothills and open floodplains where land is less expensive and space is plentiful. That’s not only put more people in danger, advocates and environmentalists say, but distressed local ecosystems and boosted climate-warming vehicle emissions.
The bill would also require officials to streamline and approve larger “naturally affordable” multifamily homes in specific areas within walking distance of jobs, schools, transit, parks and shopping centers.Dan Dunmoyer, chief executive of the California Building Industry Association, said the bill would drive up land values by limiting where new housing is allowed, making construction in rural and urban areas alike even more costly.
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