Model Places Illustration

Housing

We believe: Housing is a human right and should be affordable to everyone.

Our Goals

• Increase the supply of housing.

• Provide more affordable housing for low- and middle-income residents.

• Protect low-income communities of color from displacement.

 Monte Vista Gardens apartments in San José

SPUR Report

Structured for Success

A key cause of California’s high housing costs is its decentralized and fragmented housing governance system. SPUR makes 11 recommendations to set California and the Bay Area on the path to produce the housing we need.
 Monte Vista Gardens apartments in San José

SPUR Report

Structured for Success

A key cause of California’s high housing costs is its decentralized and fragmented housing governance system. SPUR makes 11 recommendations to set California and the Bay Area on the path to produce the housing we need.
photo of balconies on an apartment building

Research

Losing Ground

SPUR examines how the Bay Area’s housing market has become shaped by scarcity and wide economic divides — not only among income groups but also among races and ethnicities.
photo of balconies on an apartment building

Research

Losing Ground

SPUR examines how the Bay Area’s housing market has become shaped by scarcity and wide economic divides — not only among income groups but also among races and ethnicities.
Apartment Building

Research

Housing the Middle

SPUR digs into the housing market’s failure to meet the needs of middle-income households. California can look to innovative programs across the country as models for how to address the state’s housing challenges.
Apartment Building

Research

Housing the Middle

SPUR digs into the housing market’s failure to meet the needs of middle-income households. California can look to innovative programs across the country as models for how to address the state’s housing challenges.
Apartment Construction

Research

Planning by Ballot

SPUR has created the most up-to-date database of local land use ballot measures that impact housing production in California. Over the long term, measures that restrict infill housing can undermine housing affordability and have the potential to exacerbate racial segregation.
Apartment Construction

Research

Planning by Ballot

SPUR has created the most up-to-date database of local land use ballot measures that impact housing production in California. Over the long term, measures that restrict infill housing can undermine housing affordability and have the potential to exacerbate racial segregation.

Updates and Events


SPUR Supports AB 1706, Financial Feasibility Incentives for "Missing Middle" Housing

Advocacy Letter /
SPUR supports California AB 1706, which would provide incentives to build much-needed housing that targets the “missing middle." The bill would provide financial feasibility incentives and a shortened approval timeline to Bay Area housing development proposals that provide mixed-income housing, serve the missing middle, pay prevailing wages and meet certain infill location requirements.

SPUR Supports AB 1485, Statewide Incentives for "Missing Middle" Housing

Advocacy Letter /
SPUR supports California AB 1485, which would help clear a path for much-needed housing developments that target the “missing middle." The bill would do so by making projects with a higher percentage of units reserved for moderate and middle-income households eligible to utilize SB 35.

SPUR Supports AB 670, Accessory Dwelling Units in Common Interest Developments

Advocacy Letter /
Creating more in-law apartments, or accessory dwelling units, will help make a dent in California's housing shortage. SPUR supports AB 670, which would nullify prohibitions against accessory dwelling units in common interest developments. Since so much potential for accessory dwelling units lies in single-family neighborhoods, it is important that homeowners’ associations be stopped from creating blanket prohibitions against them.

SPUR Supports California Senate Bill 50, the More HOMES Act

Advocacy Letter /
SPUR supports SB 50, the More HOMES Act, which would overcome barriers to the creation of infill homes close to major transit and in high opportunity areas throughout California. This policy would create an inclusive mix of homes near transit and jobs, consistent with the goals of Plan Bay Area, and would spur the development of housing types that are within reach of working families.

SPUR supports Assembly Bill 1484

Advocacy Letter /
SPUR supports AB 1484 to prohibit local agencies from imposing any additional fees on a housing development project after the project application has been accepted as complete.

SPUR Supports Assembly Bill 69

Advocacy Letter /
SPUR supports AB 69 to address California’s housing crisis by setting up helpful guidelines for the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs).