Atlanta-based Pulte Group contends its Quito Village project doesn’t need to abide by the original developer’s first-of-its-kind union-hiring standard set by a new housing law.

California cities of every size lack shelter beds for the state’s growing homeless population. A new bill would force local governments to do more, and punish cities that don’t plan housing for unhoused residents.

A California housing law grants generous benefits to builders who agree to only hire union workers. Trouble is, few if any builders found a way to do it.

The federal grant targets unsheltered and rural homelessness in San Jose and Santa Clara County.

The March 27 purchase by First Citizens Bancshares of all assets and liabilities of the failed Silicon Valley Bank did not include a community reinvestment pledge signed by SVB in 2021 as part of an acquisiton of Boston Private Bank.

The board approved more funds for senior housing, a land swap for supportive housing in Cupertino, an investment into rental assistance with seven non-profits, a new housing development in Milpitas and more affordable housing in Mountain View, some specifically for foster youth. 

The city’s shifting demographics, a continuing affordable housing shortage, endemic homelessness, a looming budget deficit and the reality of five council elections – plus another mayoral ballot – in just two years create additional uncertainties.

In a Tuesday interview, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan discussed prioritizing public safety and accelerating housing construction to address the homelessness crisis.

The proposal would allow groups to bypass local zoning laws and California’s landmark environmental review process.

The governor threw communities into disarray two weeks ago by withholding $1 billion in homelessness funding for plans he saw as unambitious. Local officials said this discouraged ambitious programs. Now Newsom is yielding.

Housing officials report that the number of new housing units completed and occupied under Measure A is not quite 25% of the bond's goal of 4,800 new affordable housing units set in 2016.

Newsom campaigned on housing production, an issue important to many Californians. But despite some accomplishments, the housing crisis is worse now than when he took office.

The new law prevents cities from requiring new developments near public transit to set aside space specifically for parking.

The governor also signed six climate bills into law, including one that keeps the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant to stay open until 2030.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has, for reasons practical and political, shifted toward an increasingly aggressive effort to enforce the state's laws to promote affordable housing.

With time running out, state lawmakers likely will have to choose between alienating a powerful union and streamlining affordable housing development, as construction trades are at an impasse regarding their support for key housing legislation.