Land Use and Housing Housing is a basic necessity of life. Yet, many Californians go without adequate, affordable shelter, while others live in rambling homes of a size that could house multiple families.
Housing is a complex subject.
It is the largest monthly expenditure made by most people, whether owners or renters. Built largely by the private sector as a commodity, it is also a need for people with little income who cannot compete in the market. Perhaps most fundamentally, it is the focus of people's sometimes competing desires for home, status, community, privacy, convenience, and safety. Yet, fulfilling that dream has come at a personal, social, and environmental cost for California residents. To afford the dream, many families have had to move to places where they must commute one to four hours a day to work, leaving little time for children or community.