Second Units and Housing Crisis in California

Abstract

California is undergoing massive population growth. Accompanying this growth is a need for affordable housing. Unfortunately, housing costs are still out of reach for many Californians. To these people, the American dream of homeownership is and will always be simply a dream. Even rental costs lie outside the reach of many individuals. This article examines the way in which California, in general, and San Diego County municipalities, in particular, are reacting to changes in the housing market and to the pressing need for more rental housing. Allowing second units in single‐family or multifamily residential zones offers one way of providing affordable rental housing to some segments of the population.