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alifornia's housing crisis has been a long-standing issue, with home values and rents significantly higher than the national average. However, steps are being taken to address this problem. Governor Gavin Newsom has announced an expansion of the Excess Sites Program, which aims to transform underutilized state land into affordable housing.

    The revamped program includes a new web portal that streamlines the process for developers to review available land and submit proposals. This allows for continuous evaluation of offers until a viable one is selected, speeding up the allocation and construction process. The goal is to provide affordable housing as quickly as possible to all residents.

    Since 2019, progress has been made in creating a state plan that includes nearly 4,300 housing units across 32 projects in various stages of development. Examples of successful developments include a complex of 58 units in Sacramento and the Guardian Village project in Fresno County, which features 48 affordable homes built on the former Reedley Armory site. In South Lake Tahoe, the Sugar Pine Village project will become the largest affordable housing development in the region's history, with plans to expand from 68 to 248 units by the end of 2024.