California's Fair-Share Housing 1967—2004: The Planning Approach

Abstract

Fair-share housing in California has gone through six stages since the requirement was established as the housing element in the general plan. At first, each stage required greater rigor and care than the previous one in preparing the housing plan. After a while, the state also began reviewing local elements for compliance with state law, challenging cherished traditions of home rule. All the while, however, the focus was exclusively on housing. Most recently, planning implications of housing have forced a broader focus, now also beginning to consider other regional planning concerns dealing with transportation, air quality, and the environment.