Key US and California Supreme Court Decisions Released with Mixed Results for Housing and Homelessness

The US and California Supreme Courts issued two opinions this month on key cases that will impact homeless encampment management and financing for housing and homelessness solutions.

The US Supreme Court ruled, in a 6 – 3 decision, that an anti-camping ordinance passed by the City of Grants Pass, Oregon, v. Johnson, which enabled the city to clear homeless encampments, was not unconstitutional. This enables California cities to enact more ordinances to sweep homeless encampments and further criminalize homelessness. On the other hand, the California Supreme Court ruled that the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act ballot measure, which had qualified for the November ballot, was unconstitutional, removing a potential barrier for new taxes and fees, including for housing and homelessness solutions, to be approved at the ballot.

Read more on our continued analysis of key Supreme Court decisions >

by Jacqueline Woo

California Legislative Analysis Manager

Global Policy Leadership Academy

Rising Housing Insurance Rates Impact Owners and Developers

Last year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recorded 28 weather and climate disasters, eclipsing the previous high of 22 in 2020, resulting in at least $92.9B in damage across the US. Between 2011 and 2021, 90% of all counties in the US had federal disaster declarations. The increasing prevalence of climate-related disasters has led to increased insurance costs nationally for homeowners and developers alike. In California, multiple insurance companies have canceled or withdrawn insurance policies or are leaving the state altogether. As a result, from September to March 2024, more than 45,000 homeowners have turned to California’s FAIR Plan, an insurer of last resort.

Read more about particular insurance challenges faced by affordable housing developers >

by Chul Gugich

Principal, Housing Team

LeSar Development Consultants

Momentum on Social Housing Continues in Los Angeles 

In late May, Los Angeles City Councilmembers Nithya Raman, Eunisses Hernandez, and Marqueece Harris-Dawson introduced a motion to build the City’s capacity to establish a large-scale social housing program in LA. The motion instructs the LA Housing Department to identify financing tools that would support the implementation of permanent affordability and resident governance in social housing in LA and to identify ways for low-income households to participate in social housing ownership in LA.

The motion points to funding from Measure United to House LA (ULA), which funds multiple programs, including alternative models for permanent affordability, acquisition and rehabilitation, and capacity building, as an opportunity to explore such elements of social housing further. 

Read more about social housing activity in the LA region >

by Anu Natarajan

Managing Director, Global Housing Practice

Global Policy Leadership Academy

Major May Deadline Cuts Notable Bills and Retains Many Others

May 24th marked the last day for each house in the Legislature to pass bills introduced in that house, with many housing and homelessness bills continuing to be in play this session, including a bill to authorize more affordable housing funding through the November 2024 ballot and modify the “builders remedy” law.

Notable bills now dead include those related to repealing Housing First requirements, banning encampments near schools, and establishing a social housing authority.

Read more about housing and homelessness-related bills still in play and notable bills that died >

by Christina Mun

Chief Strategy Officer

LeSar Holdings, Inc.