Affordable housing in California now routinely tops $1 million per apartment to build

Abstract

A Times investigation found numerous factors within the control of state and local governments also to blame for the high cost of building affordable housing in California. In comparison with private sector development, low-income housing is often saddled with more stringent environmental and labor standards. The project additionally struggled to get financing through the state’s affordable housing system and is relying on six government funding sources. The Terner Center study found that projects paying union-level wages to construction workers could cost $50,000 more.