Join CARB for a Research Seminar on Housing Potential in Transportation-Efficient, Healthy, High-Opportunity Communities on May 24, 2024

This study identifies transportation-efficient, healthy, high-opportunity areas for housing development within California. Adding both market-rate and below-market-rate housing in these areas could promote housing affordability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while contributing to enhanced socioeconomic mobility and more equitable development patterns. This study was conceived to identify areas that are particularly well-suited for housing development because they are (or could become) transportation-efficient (i.e., conducive to lower vehicle miles traveled per capita) and offer (or with improvement, could offer) current and future residents healthy, high opportunity places to live. The study also assessed implications for social and racial equity by examining the degree of ethno-racial segregation, screening for gentrification, and analyzing residential mobility patterns to and from priority areas.

Results reveal that the development potential in the identified areas, according to data provided by regional planning organizations and local jurisdictions, substantially exceeds the number of existing units. However, layered regulatory restrictions may impede development at the assumed planned densities. This study therefore identifies enhanced data collection procedures and policy levers to promote development in the identified areas. The policy levers include regulatory changes to expedite the approval of infill housing, to increase the financial feasibility of infill housing, and to more effectively target regulatory requirements related to the provision of below-market-rate housing units.

The recommendations from this report can help CARB continue to support equitable and climate-friendly housing production.

Date:                May 24, 2024
Time:                10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location:          Virtual via Zoom - Register

For More Information

If you have any questions regarding the research seminar, please contact buildingdecarb@arb.ca.gov. To stay informed regarding zero-emission space and water heaters standards, please sign up for updates via CARB’s “Building Decarbonization” GovDelivery topic.