KQED's Forum Will New CEQA Reforms Bring More Housing to California?
Aug 19, 2025
Buffy Wicks, a California State Assembly member driving CEQA reforms, joins industry expert Patrick Kennedy and policy analyst Sarah Karlinsky. They discuss the challenges of California's housing crisis, highlighting the urgent need for new policies to accelerate development. Aditi Bandlamudi provides insights into local housing issues, emphasizing the impact of environmental regulations on building costs. The panel debates whether recent legislative changes can truly ease the housing shortage while balancing community concerns with sustainability.
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CEQA Became A Bottleneck For Infill Housing
- Assemblymember Buffy Wicks argues CEQA has become an unwieldy tool that allows lawsuits to stall housing for years.
- She says infill housing near transit is the most environmentally friendly and should be streamlined.
Use Statutory Infill Exemption Strategically
- AB 609 creates a statutory infill exemption so housing on existing urban footprints can avoid CEQA delays.
- Use the exemption to prioritize transit-oriented infill rather than developing open spaces.
Crisis And Activism Opened Political Windows
- Political will for CEQA reform rose because the housing crisis intensified and grassroots activists demanded change.
- A shifting public mood and advocacy made reform achievable this year.