Happy Tuesday, and welcome to another edition of Rent Free. This week’s stories include:
- A California homeowner files yet another challenge to a local “inclusionary zoning” program.
- Oregon passes what might just be the most radical YIMBY reform yet.
- A federal judge sides with fair housing groups claiming that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is improperly dragging its feet on awarding federal fair housing enforcement grants.
But first, our lead item on California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ declaration of NIMBY martial law to prevent duplexes from being built in areas of Los Angeles affected by this year’s wildfires.
Gavin Newsom, Karen Bass Declare NIMBY Martial Law
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass are doing their best to ensure that no new net housing is created during the rebuilding of Los Angeles’ wildfire-ravaged neighborhoods.
On Wednesday, the two issued twin executive orders that collectively suspend a state law allowing builders to build duplexes on single-family zoned properties and/or divide single-family zoned lots into separate properties.
The state law, Senate Bill (S.B.) 9, was passed in 2021 with the goal of enabling more small-lot starter homes and “middle housing” in the state’s lowest-density areas…