Cities are no longer simply seeking to attract new employers or subsidize major projects. They are attempting to reshape entire land-use patterns and local economies.

On average, Californians who move out of state relocate to neighborhoods where housing costs are about $672 lower per month.

Austin’s lesson is cumulative. The city made it easier to build apartments near jobs and transit, eased rules for accessory dwelling units, reduced and then largely eliminated parking mandates, used density bonuses to trade added height for income-restricted housing and backed affordable projects with bond funding.

Zoning reform is no longer an abstract policy discussion; it is increasingly tied to state legislation with direct implications for local decision-making. Even where there is agreement that more housing is needed, there is less consensus on how to achieve it or how quickly changes should occur.