All-new developments can go a long way toward easing the housing crisis. But what's the rest of the equation?

California needs over a million new homes—in every size and shape.

California has a serious housing deficit, and we need somewhere between 1.1 million and 2 million new homes to fill the gap. From studios, townhouses, and apartments to single-family houses of all sizes, we need more of every type of home.

With careful planning, new communities in California can make housing more accessible and daily life more sustainable. Dense, mixed-use communities like the proposed California Forever development in Solano County can add homes and jobs in a smart way that minimizes long-term environmental impacts.

But these new developments can only be a part of the solution.

*Rendering of the proposed California Forever development in Solano County (californiaforever.com)*

To address the housing crisis sustainably, we have to do more.

The California Forever development is a start. If successful, it will be a step toward closing the deficit, adding at least 20,000 homes.

But we need over a million more homes on top of that, and we can’t build enough new communities to do it. Building a whole community from scratch is expensive. (California Forever has spent $1 billion acquiring enough land, and the 20,000 homes the development will start with will cost another $10 billion. Then there's the cost of infrastructure, including roads, schools, utilities, and services.) It’s also resource-intensive, even when steps are taken to limit waste.

We simply don’t have the resources to spare, and we can’t wait for big companies to buy land and build cities. If we are to close the gap and make housing accessible for everyone, we’ll need to approach the problem from multiple angles.

California for Everyone means doing more with Bay Area communities.

To truly meet our needs in a sustainable way, we must enhance the underutilized spaces in our existing cities, where the infrastructure is already in place.

At New Avenue, we see infill development as an ideal path forward. In the Bay Area, that means transforming vacant or underused urban areas into vibrant, livable spaces. It means turning single-family lots into multi-family communities. It means building accessory dwelling units to increase available housing without altering a city's character. By building within current urban and suburban boundaries, it’s possible to build and live more sustainably.

If we add a variety of homes to the communities we already have, we can make sure that people who have been priced out of housing can buy or rent in great neighborhoods. We can give them access to homes and everything that comes with life in a thriving community.

We call that California for Everyone.

Higher-density living offers a brighter future for California.

This is a great-looking city with ideal density. Making existing cities like San Diego, LA, and San Francisco function in similar ways, while retaining all the best aspects of each city's beloved character and culture, is our vision for the future.

It’s nice to walk to the grocery store, the coffee shop, the library, and your favorite local restaurants. It’s nice to talk to neighbors. And it’s life-changing to have family close by. A combination of higher-density solutions can make it happen for the one-million-plus households that need a way into the housing market.

A planned development, if placed carefully and built sustainably, can put a dent in the housing deficit. If it’s well-designed and well-managed, it can provide a comfortable, healthy, financially sustainable lifestyle for its residents.

An established community, enhanced with a variety of new homes, can do the same without taking up valuable green space and without the need to build infrastructure from scratch. It offers a more sustainable path forward.

The benefits of higher-density living extend to everyone: people looking to rent, people looking to buy, and people who want more from the property they already own.

If you're a homeowner, you can get more from your property.

If you own property in California, you can make it do more by adding housing or other usable space. Whether you build a home office, a guest house, an accessory dwelling for loved ones, or a small community of rental homes, you can use the property you already own to enhance your life and your community. Rental income, the sale of a new ADU, or savings on family expenses can make a huge difference for any homeowner. Adding homes to the community, whether they’re used for family or new neighbors, is a boon for everyone.

If you don't own a home yet, you can make ownership possible.

If you’re not yet a homeowner, you can make ownership more accessible by purchasing a property and then adding one or more ADUs. You can then sell or rent out the additional homes. These projects can pay for themselves and contribute to your down payment and mortgage payments.

Let’s make California the sustainable, equitable place we know it can be.

Bay Area residents are in a unique position to make infill housing (and therefore responsible growth) a reality—by voting, by spreading the word, and by building.

New Avenue Homes is here to help with extensive experience, a knowledgeable team, and unmatched technology to help homeowners get more from their property while keeping headaches away and expenses in check.

You can bring sustainability, freedom, and connection to your life and to the life of your community by optimizing the space you own. Schedule your free consultation to discuss the possibilities for your home.

Interested? Let’s Talk.

This is the first of a series of posts in which New Avenue Homes explores the benefits of infill development over traditional urban expansion. Up next: Navigating Challenges in Bay Area Infill Development.

California Forever is a great start. California for Everyone means even more.