Oakland is the first Bay Area city to win the state’s “pro-housing” designation, giving it a leg up in competing for scarce affordable housing funding as a reward for removing barriers to building more homes.
The city on Tuesday announced Oakland is now one of only seven jurisdictions in California to receive the distinction.
To earn its spot, Oakland has committed to speeding up its often years-long planning and permitting process, which has long been blamed for stalling out for affordable projects. The city also plans to allow denser development near transit stops and work to add more affordable housing in suburban neighborhoods that have historically locked out low-income residents