On November 12th, HAC welcomed recently elected Councilmember Anthony Tordillos (San José) to our HAC-ED meeting. Councilmember Tordillos represents San José’s District 3 and has long been an ally to HAC’s work. His presentation walked through San José’s multi-pronged housing strategy rooted in four pillars: Legalization and Capacity, Costs, Financing, and Specific Sites. Each is aimed at clearing the path for more homes, more quickly, with smart policy to back it up.

Interesting conversations from my time at YIMBYtown

On September 24, HAC hosted Kyle Vansice of Cedar and Ramie Dare of Mercy Housing California for a conversation on overcoming barriers to building housing. Vansice showcased Cedar, a zoning and design platform helping developers unlock infill sites, while Dare shared the financial and regulatory hurdles affordable housing faces today. Together, they highlighted both the innovative tools and on-the-ground realities needed to speed up, simplify, and expand housing production.

At our August 27th Regional Committee, HAC welcomed Senator Scott Wiener and SF Planning Director Rachael Tanner for a deep dive into the bold housing policies shaping 2025. Senator Wiener shared candid updates on state housing bills — from CEQA reform to starter home legislation — while Tanner unveiled San Francisco’s historic Family Zoning plan, set to unlock 36,000 new homes and reshape the city’s zoning map for the first time in decades.

Together, their insights highlighted how Sacramento’s legislative push and San Francisco’s zoning overhaul are working in tandem to tackle California’s housing crisis.

This month’s conversation underscored how California’s housing challenges are shaped by forces at both ends of the policy spectrum. From Capitol insider views on the latest federal housing legislation and budget negotiations to a statewide advocate’s warning about the deep funding and infrastructure gaps slowing progress, the committee heard candid assessments of where the biggest levers lie—and what’s standing in the way.

This month’s Regulatory Committee brought together two vital perspectives on housing in California: a Capitol insider’s view on the latest legislation and budget dynamics, and a statewide advocate’s outlook on the deep funding gaps holding us back from hitting our housing goals.