This month Executive Director Kendra Chandler had the opportunity to participate as a panelist representing ULI Orange County/Inland Empire. The Brea Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of President and CEO Lacy Schoen, produced the 2024 Regional Housing Forum to inform and equip its members, the broader business community, and city residents with important facts about the regional planning and housing development needed for a strong future.

The panel included Kenneth Stahl, Professor & Director of Environmental, Land Use, and Real Estate Law at Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law, Jeffrey “Jeff” Ball, President and CEO of the Orange County Business Council, Adam Wood, Vice President Orange County Operations for the Building Industry Association Southern California, and me. The Moderator was Jon Gould, Dean of the School of Social Ecology at University of California at Irvine. This group of professionals brought an unparalleled depth of knowledge and expertise in regional planning and housing and detailed the key reasons for as well as proven solutions to the housing crisis.

California as a whole and Orange County more specifically are experiencing an historic housing crisis so the timing of this Forum could not have been more appropriate. Residents of all ages are fleeing the state in search of more affordable living situations. Too many workers are forced to drive two to three hours to and from work each day because housing costs here are simply too high. Minimum wage employees and their families who can’t afford that commute are often forced to double or triple up in small homes, not to mention those experiencing homelessness on our streets every day.

The reasons for this are many, including onerous state regulation, vocal opposition by activists, and misinformation about housing, development in general, and the community impacts.

The fact is that more housing, with a variety of sizes, styles, and price levels, is critically needed not only to house current and future residents (those being born here today) but also to keep our economy strong, maintain a vibrant community, and reduce crime.