Palo Alto’s affordability problem has been driven by an explosion in new jobs alongside a lack of sufficient home building to accommodate new workers, a dilemma faced by other tech hubs across California. Now, one state lawmaker hopes to address the issue.
Pedestrians cross University Avenue in Palo Alto. Senate Bill 50 could clear the way for higher-density housing in the area.
Commuters wait for a train at Caltrain's Palo Alto station. Senate Bill 50 would relax construction restrictions near mass transit, making higher-density housing possible near the station. The prospect of significant transformation in Palo Alto has exacerbated existing tension over its changing suburban character in the face of an influx of tech jobs and rising housing costs. In recent years, residents have tried to cope with the situation in a variety of ways, including blocking low-income housing and office construction while also making it easier to build second housing units, or casitas, in their backyards.
Opponents of SB 50 in Palo Alto agree with Wiener that the imbalance between jobs and housing has led to the city’s affordability problem. But they disagree on the solution. Schmid, a former city councilman, is one of the leaders of Palo Altans for Sensible Zoning, a political action committee that successfully lobbied last year to halve the growth of the city’s allowable office space.But others believe the real issue is that Palo Alto residents want to prevent more people from living in their community.
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