2024-04-28T01:02:13-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150281977/workbench-is-seeking-architects-to-help-solve-california-s-housing-crisis Niall Patrick Walsh 2021-09-20T12:21:00-04:00 >2024-03-15T01:45:58-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/f3/f32ce64777c57d9e6be04403c00b2cc7.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p><a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150270099/u-s-needs-additional-5-5-million-housing-units-says-report" target="_blank">As with many states</a>, California is experiencing a lack of affordable housing, with <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150279227/california-may-be-about-to-clear-a-major-hurdle-in-its-mad-scramble-to-find-more-affordable-housing" target="_blank">1.8 million homes needed by 2025</a> to satisfy the state&rsquo;s housing needs. At present, the median home price in California has risen <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/16/business/california-housing-crisis.html" target="_blank">above $800,000</a>, while more than 100,000 residents sleeping outside or in cars every night, prompting both legislators and designers to explore increasingly innovative solutions.</p> <p>Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150279227/california-may-be-about-to-clear-a-major-hurdle-in-its-mad-scramble-to-find-more-affordable-housing" target="_blank">signed into law</a> a bill which will allow for multi-unit development on suburban lots previously reserved for single-family dwellings, putting an end to a 100-year practice of single-family-only zoning in the state. In June, meanwhile, a <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150266371/california-law-streamlines-environmental-reviews-for-large-projects" target="_blank">law was introduced</a> to streamline large building developments in the state, particularly infill residential-led projects, by reducing judicial review requirements. </p> <figure><figure><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/99/990e7d1acdaf579a1b28de9fb91adcee.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/99/990e7d1acdaf579a1b28de9fb91adcee.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=514"></a><figcaption>Related on Archinect: <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150257277/a-possible-future-for-adus-and-its-growing-familiarity-factor" target="_blank">A possible future for ADUs and its growing 'familiarity factor'</a></figcaption></figure></figure><p>These legislative efforts are joined by architectural proposals aimed at pro...</p>