Many candidates for California governor say the state faces a “housing crisis” and that they can solve it. Over the past 15 years, Democratic governors and Legislatures have promised similar fixes with limited results, raising doubts about why another Democrat deserves the governor’s mansion — but that is a topic for another letter.
The estimated number of homeless people in California is about 185,000, and more than a million residents struggle to afford rent because of the state’s high cost of living. Does that add up to a “housing crisis,” or is something else driving the problem?
California is home to roughly 2.5 million people who lack authorization from the United States government to be in the country. Some arrived legally and overstayed their visas, some used forged documents, some misled immigration officials about their intent, and others crossed the border without permission. Whatever the path, they do not have legal permission to be here — but they are all living somewhere.
If these 2.5 million people were deported, an estimated 600,000 or more housing units would become available in California alone. That would reduce the artificial demand they create, likely lowering rents statewide and even easing prices for single‑family homes. Removing people who are here illegally would both free up housing and put downward pressure on costs.
Building more quality housing is always important. The problem is that many on the left also see housing policy as a tool to push people out of cars and onto public transportation. In 2025, the Legislature passed, and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed, Senate Bill 79, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener. The law allows local governments to approve multifamily housing up to six stories tall within a half‑mile of a “major transit stop,” regardless of existing zoning, the California Coastal Commission, or neighboring residents’ concerns, and it does not require any parking.
Under SB 79, a developer could buy a single‑family home 400 yards from a designated transit stop and replace it with a 10‑unit apartment building that has no parking. Many neighborhoods already struggle with limited parking, and projects like this would only make it worse. Sen. Wiener and other supporters hope new residents will give up cars and rely on public transit to get to work and leisure.
Will that work? Even liberal cities such as Los Angeles are wary of implementing the law because they can see the practical problems and anticipate strong pushback from residents near these proposed developments.
So, does California have a housing crisis? The state certainly needs more places to live. But it could also immediately free up hundreds of thousands of units by returning people who are here illegally to their home countries, which would make housing more available and more affordable. In a state already losing residents to Texas, Florida and Tennessee, lowering housing costs could be a key step toward slowing the exodus of tax dollars and talent.
James Kennedy
Valencia
