Local Control Meets Fair Housing

Fighting for Fair Housing in California.

NFABC believes that decisions about housing and zoning should be made close to home, not dictated from Sacramento. Local control means giving communities a real voice in shaping growth, balancing safety, affordability, and quality of life. By restoring authority to cities and neighborhoods, we can protect what makes each community unique while ensuring housing policies truly serve local needs.

Painting of a man dressed as a king, wearing a crown, a fur-lined cape, and holding a scepter, pointing forward.

Top-Down Control Undermines Local Democracy

Governor Newsom campaigned on a promise to add 3.5 million new housing units, and ever since he has pursued that goal by stripping power from local governments. Through a steady stream of laws and executive actions, he has handed sweeping authority to Sacramento and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), overriding city planning, zoning, and community input. While intended to increase housing availability, this top-down approach risks sidelining local voices and undermining the very communities fair housing policies aim to protect.

Key Principles

  • Community Voice Matters

    Decisions about zoning and development should start at the neighborhood level. Residents deserve a real say in shaping the future of their communities.

  • Balanced, Inclusive Growth

    Housing development should balance affordability, safety, and quality of life, without compromising what makes a neighborhood special.

  • Protect Neighborhood Character

    Local character helps preserve the unique character and identity of cities and neighborhoods across California.

  • Smart Housing Solutions

    Giving cities authority allows tailored solutions for housing needs, instead of a one-size-fits all mandates from Sacramento.

“We need more housing, but it’s not enough to simply build for the sake of building. Housing must be smart, sustainable, and considerate of the communities it’s meant to serve. It’s about finding solutions that work for everyone — not just for developers, but for families, seniors, veterans, and future generations.”

— Marcella B.

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