Housing and Climate Nexus - California Climate and Energy Collaborative

Priority Area: Housing & Climate Nexus

The SLECC Priority Area Pages are in a Beta Test version. We welcome all feedback using either the survey link below or by clicking on any of the key challenges or potential solutions to provide comments on an individual item!

California is experiencing acute and entwined housing and climate crises that are worsening racial and economic inequities. Decades of sprawling and decentralized growth, housing underproduction, and poorly integrated public transportation options have led to rising vehicle miles traveled (VMT), contributing to higher greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reduced affordability, poorer air quality, and health outcomes, and yet more development on natural and working lands that limits the state’s ability to sequester carbon naturally.

The housing crisis is severe by any measure – California needs an estimated 2.5-3.5 million additional housing units to meet current demand, with median home prices roughly double the national average and many metro areas exceeding $800,000. Renters typically spend 40-50% or more of their income on housing, well above the 30% affordability threshold, creating geographic disparities where coastal areas have the most acute shortages while more affordable inland areas often lack job opportunities and infrastructure.

SLECC participants explored how we could work together to accelerate our effectiveness in developing, rebuilding and retrofitting homes. In December 2024, the initial Catalyst Convening webinar – many regions highlighted the importance of alignment on housing and climate policy

Desired Future

State and local participants envision a future housing market that provides an adequate supply of housing that is accessible and affordable for all and makes the most of vacant or underutilized land in urban areas (infill).

Relevant State Agencies

This priority area is relevant to the function of:

California Energy Commission
California Public Utilities Commission
California Air Resources Board
Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
California Environmental Protection Agency
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
Strategic Growth Council
Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation.

What’s Working

California has set a goal of planning for 2.5 million new homes by 2030, including no less than one million affordable homes. In recent years, the legislature has passed multiple laws to streamline infill housing development and make it more economically viable, including various development incentives such as streamlined approval processes.

Infill housing development – building on unused or underutilized land within existing urban areas – has emerged as a critical strategy for addressing both crises simultaneously. This approach reduces driving and greenhouse gas emissions by placing homes near jobs, transit, and amenities while creating more vibrant, walkable communities and making efficient use of existing infrastructure. State investments in affordable housing programs have already produced tens of thousands of infill homes in transit- and amenity-rich locations, lowering housing cost burdens, reducing emissions, and creating thousands of construction and maintenance jobs.

California’s investments in affordable housing programs have led to adaptive reuse and infill housing developments resulting in tens of thousands of homes in transit- and amenity-rich locations that have lowered housing cost burdens, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and created thousands of jobs to create and maintain those homes;

Under Executive Order N-06-19, the State has made excess state-owned properties available for affordable housing development at low cost, creating a pipeline for the development of thousands of new affordable homes on infill sites. On July 31, 2024, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order (N-2-24) to accelerate and streamline infill development projects to transform undeveloped and underutilized properties statewide into livable and affordable housing for Californians. The order aims to help communities build thriving downtown cores and new housing near transportation hubs and job centers, creating more housing options for Californians while further aligning the state’s housing and climate goals.

Despite these successes, significant barriers persist in scaling infill development, including high costs from land values, materials, labor, fees, complex permitting processes, lengthy development timelines, regulatory requirements, and local opposition. The Strategic Growth Council and other state leaders recognize the need for better state-local coordination to advance housing, climate, and equity goals together, with ongoing efforts like SLECC initiatives working to improve alignment between different levels of government. This integrated approach acknowledges that housing and climate policies must work in tandem rather than as separate challenges, with infill development serving as a key strategy for addressing California’s interconnected crises.

Barriers & Solutions

To achieve the desired future outlined above, California will need to accelerate climate action across CA. Participants share that several key barriers impede progress and require further attention, as detailed below: Housing Regulation, Infrastructure for Housing Access, Financing, Wealth Gap, Climate Resilient Housing and Rebuilding.

Filterable Database

Help us strengthen our knowledge base!

Help us to expand our database. Either share new ideas, best practices or general feedback via this form, or click on a particular item to share additional feedback, information, examples of progress on that particular item.

Feedback Form

Additional Resources

Please share any additional resources you would like to include by emailing eecoordinator@civicwell.org.

Complex zoning laws, inconsistent CEQA requirements, lengthy permitting processes, and local opposition to new development have historically limited housing production and infill development.

Housing Regulation Challenges

View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.

Filtered Database

Local Solution Opportunities

SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Planning/Land Use )

Modernize and proactively reform zoning codes to enable mid- and high-density mixed-use development. Updates should include eliminating or reducing minimum home size requirements and allowing mobile, modular, multifamily, and mixed-use housing options that expand affordability and flexibility in community design.

1. City of Glendale – Since the 2000s, Glendale permitted 6–7-story mixed-use/apartment buildings in its commercial core. This long-term approach “flooded the market” with housing, keeping rents “pretty reasonable” compared to surrounding Los Angeles. Glendale is now layering parks, pedestrian, and bike plans after this growth, showing how infrastructure can catch up to zoning-enabled supply. Why it matters: Large-scale production moderated rents relative to surrounding LA markets; an example of land-use enablement delivering supply at scale. 2. City of Seaside’s planning approach prioritizes mixed-use infill development—combining housing, small businesses, and civic spaces within walkable districts. This structure reduces vehicle miles traveled (VMT), a major contributor to regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while encouraging economic vibrancy and livability. The city has repurposed underused parcels into compact, transit-oriented neighborhoods that integrate energy-efficient buildings, pedestrian pathways, and public gathering areas.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Planning/Land Use )

“Implement while you plan” pilots embedded in general plan/Housing Element work programs so planning cycles don’t stall action.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Construction/Installation/Procurement )

Stand up mixed developer–labor–environmental panels to “audit” project requirements for practical streamlining of implementation steps (regional convening).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Engage community-based organizations (CBOs) as true co-design/peer-review partners (not one-off meetings) during housing elements and major development reviews; use the SB 1425 EJ engagement model as a floor, not a ceiling.

City of Long Beach – CBO co-design of housing policy (inclusionary ordinance): Community-based organizations actively peer-reviewed and helped craft the city’s inclusionary housing ordinance and related policy, moving beyond one-off meetings. CBOs didn’t just “consult” but actually co-wrote and peer-reviewed housing elements and ordinances, ensuring that siting choices (e.g., where new housing would go) reflected environmental justice and anti-displacement priorities. The CBO role was described as a “mirror-holding” role, where CBOs pushed city staff to adjust policy drafts before adoption. This was seen as more effective than one-off workshops mandated by state law. Why it matters: Demonstrates a scalable model for true co-production of housing policy to improve equity and local legitimacy.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Launch coordinated YIMBY/education campaigns to build support for infill and multifamily where appropriate (organizing support to counter NIMBY narratives).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Planning/Land Use )

Coordinate jurisdictions on shared projects/issues (pooled resourcing; regional approaches to common barriers rather than city-by-city).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Planning/Land Use )

Create local/regional panels to review overlapping regulations and produce a prioritized “de-clutter” list for councils/boards to adopt (focus on clarity, timelines, and removing duplicative steps).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Mid-project engagement checkpoints (fund time and budget for “pivot points” if community feedback indicates changes are needed).

State Solution Opportunities

SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Program Implementation and Outreach )

LCI should publish clear general-plan guidance & best-practice case studies (EJ/SB 1425 engagement; integrating climate with housing) and provide TA to small jurisdictions.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Construction/Installation/Procurement )

Statewide “minimal-threshold review” pathways for standard, compliant projects to shorten permit review where objective standards are met.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Program Implementation and Outreach )

Require/Resource CBO co-design/peer review of housing elements (move beyond one-meeting “check the box”).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Flex state land-use authority where needed to provide political cover for local adoption of pro-housing reforms.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Audit & prune overlapping state requirements; convene a standing state–region panel (regs, labor, env., developers) to simplify implementation steps and timelines.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Align/extend statutory timelines across general plan/housing/open-space/safety elements (e.g., 2026 open-space deadlines) to curb piecemeal planning and litigation risk.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Streamline CEQA for housing-element rezonings and qualifying housing projects (extend streamlining beyond one-off projects so cities can meet RHNA without full EIRs).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Authorize objective, site-scale climate standards in housing approvals (or issue statewide standards) so cities can require shade/open space/permeability without running afoul of “streamlining.”

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Increase planner–legislator touchpoints so local realities inform bill language and guidelines early (regular briefings, site walks, and memos).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Enable RHNA credit trading / cap-and-trade-style RHNA to incentivize jurisdictions in the region to collaborate (with safeguards), rather than every city meeting targets alone.

Solution Spotlight

No results found.

New developments must provide for access to schools, parks, utilities, and transportation infrastructure, which can exacerbate tensions between green space conservation and density and require lengthy approval processes creating costs and delays.

Infrastructure for Housing Access Challenges

View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.

Filtered Database

Local Solution Opportunities

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Planning/Land Use )

Prioritize densification where transit and green amenities already exist (revive “small-footprint” concentration akin to the 3% strategy concept to limit sprawl and preserve regional open space).

SCAG’s “Compass Blueprint” (historic regional pilot): Framed as a 3% strategy: only 3% of the land base needed to densify to meet housing needs regionally. It was praised as one of SCAG’s few plans to gain broad regional buy-in, thanks to its clarity and marketing (“easy to understand, sexy framing”). Eventually it fell out of use but remembered as a rare regional consensus-builder.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Construction/Installation/Procurement )

Pair infill/ADUs with site-level living-infrastructure features (trees, shade, permeable surfaces, courtyards) so added units don’t intensify heat or impermeability at the parcel scale.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Construction/Installation/Procurement )

Use environmental “in-lieu” improvements when on-site space is constrained—e.g., fund nearby tree planting, pocket parks, or shared green courts—with safeguards to ensure access and avoid costs passed to renters.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Coordinate regional transit with planned housing intensification to capture mode-shift benefits (e.g., tie Glendale-style growth to Metro/rail upgrades).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Planning/Land Use )

Plan housing, parks, and mobility together at neighborhood scale (avoid siloed decisions; map transit + green gaps before up-zoning).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Family-oriented amenity programs near growth areas (daycare, parks, schools, after-school programs) to make denser areas truly livable for families.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Construction/Installation/Procurement )

Reuse existing infrastructure for infill housing including commercial corridor conversion to townhomes and condos

City of Irvine, Lakewood and other LA-area jurisdictions - Commercial-to-housing corridor/mall conversions: Driven by collapse of brick-and-mortar retail and underperformance of malls/corridors. Developers in these cities are now “desperate” for residential uses on these lands, making conversions politically and financially viable. In Lakewood, suburban malls are being redeveloped into townhomes/“missing middle” formats that appeal to ownership-seeking households.

State Solution Opportunities

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Program Implementation and Outreach )

Fund family-amenity gaps near growth nodes (daycare, parks, schools) to make density livable for families.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Program Implementation and Outreach )

Support local environmental “in-lieu” mechanisms (tree planting, pocket parks) where parcels can’t deliver on-site green—with protections so costs aren’t passed to renters.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Tie densification to transit planning (require/speed funding for mobility upgrades in designated growth areas).v

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Marry housing approvals with open-space/green-infrastructure requirements via state objective standards (site/neighborhood scale).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Construction/Installation/Procurement )

Green site design playbooks (shade trees, permeable surfaces, courtyards, cool roofs/streets) provided by state as ready-to-use specs for infill/ADUs.

Solution Spotlight

No results found.

Affordable housing developments require complex financing involving multiple funding sources, tax credits, and subsidies, creating lengthy development timelines. Limited federal and state affordable housing funds mean projects compete intensely for financing. Funding awards come with too many additional requirements.

Financing Challenges

View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.

Filtered Database

Local Solution Opportunities

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Planning/Land Use )

Establish regional coordination mechanisms to build pipelines of investable housing projects. By pre-identifying priority projects, pooling resources, and coordinating applications across multiple funding sources, regional entities can reduce redundancy, avoid competition between jurisdictions, and strengthen the case for combined state–federal investment.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Construction/Installation/Procurement )

Pre-package compliant specs/procurement checklists to reduce “box-checking” delays across funders (align common requirements developers repeatedly face, e.g., materials rules).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Planning/Land Use )

Local feasibility targeting: steer rezonings and incentives toward formats that “pencil” locally to expand ownership options and throughput.

LA-area subregions/cities: Regional analyses showed multifamily high-rises often “don’t pencil” in subregions outside of central LA. In contrast, townhomes/condos often prove financially viable, while also meeting household demand for ownership. Highlighted as politically easier for elected officials to support than multifamily rentals, and a way to diversify supply.

State Solution Opportunities

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Construction/Installation/Procurement )

Publish pre-vetted procurement/spec packages (e.g., Buy-American, materials, reporting) to cut delay across common funding sources.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Incentivize ownership formats (condos/townhomes) where multifamily doesn’t pencil; align incentives to local feasibility to expand supply & ownership.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Continue/expand state-backed local housing trust programs and consider state compensation for infill developers meeting priority outcomes.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Standardize electrification/resilience code requirements statewide to reduce compliance fragmentation across programs.

Solution Spotlight

No results found.

The growing wealth gap and social inequities underlying housing access and affordability issues

Wealth Gap Challenges

View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.

Filtered Database

Local Solution Opportunities

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Planning/Land Use )

Anti-displacement strategies bundled with entitlement approvals (conditions tying upgrades to tenant protections; monitor gentrification signals).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Planning/Land Use )

Shift local narratives from “housing-as-commodity” to “housing-as-home” via council resolutions and program framing; align incentives with stability/ownership where feasible.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Construction/Installation/Procurement )

Require retrofit scopes and construction phasing plans that prevent displacement (right-to-return, habitability plans, and rent-increase protections embedded in project conditions).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Tenant-first retrofit programs (outreach plus direct supports) so owners adopt upgrades without passing costs to renters, prioritizing majority-renter neighborhoods (e.g., Long Beach).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Targeted outreach for family-sized units and pathways to ownership (homebuyer readiness tied to new townhome/condo supply).

State Solution Opportunities

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Pair retrofit and rehabilitation programs with strong tenant protection and anti-displacement requirements. State-supported policy frameworks should ensure that rental retrofit projects include no-displacement provisions, right-to-return guarantees, and rent stabilization or rent-increase limits tied to state-funded upgrades.

The Community Energy Partners / CEC retrofit initiative in the Inland Empire, which includes a local trade ally network and a consumer protection framework, was cited as a promising model for equitable decarbonization

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Program Implementation and Outreach )

Targeted support for family-sized units and pathways to ownership in new supply (readiness, counseling linked to townhome/condo production).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Disincentivize “housing as commodity” outcomes by aligning state incentives to affordability/ownership/stability rather than speculation.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Disincentivize “housing as commodity” outcomes by aligning state incentives to affordability/ownership/stability rather than speculation.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Program Implementation and Outreach )

Fund tenant-first retrofit programs so resilience/efficiency upgrades aren’t passed through as rent hikes in majority-renter cities.

City of Long Beach – Renter-majority lens in upgrade discussions: Policy dialogue explicitly centers majority-renter, BIPOC, low-income populations when considering energy/resilience upgrades. Roughly 60% of Long Beach residents are renters, disproportionately BIPOC and low-income. City planners described how developers pass energy upgrade costs onto tenants, intensifying gentrification pressures. The local approach has been to explicitly foreground equity in resilience and housing policy discussions — framing tenants as the primary stakeholders in upgrade conversations.

Solution Spotlight

No results found.

More resources are needed to make homes more wildfire, heat and energy resilient and insurable (e.g. fire resistance materials, backup power/batteries)

Climate Resilient Housing Challenges

View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.

Filtered Database

Local Solution Opportunities

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Launch retrofit campaigns targeting aging housing stock—focusing on cooling, electrification, and seismic upgrades in heat-vulnerable and wildfire-exposed areas. Local governments can prioritize heat-resilient improvements such as better insulation, reflective surfaces, and energy-efficient cooling systems, while packaging upgrades with no-cost or low-cost options to prevent rent pass-throughs and protect affordability.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Planning/Land Use )

Treat agricultural/habitat conservation as both a GHG-reduction and climate-resilience strategy.

SCAG’s sustainability department treats agricultural/habitat conservation as both GHG-reduction and climate-resilience strategies.However, this has created tensions with housing obligations: cities complain that conservation targets conflict with RHNA requirements, interpreting them as a “zero-sum game.” Staff stressed the two issues are not mutually exclusive, but politically they often are perceived as such. This presents a regional co-benefit model for balancing housing with climate adaptation; highlights implementation tensions but offers a replicable planning frame.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Planning/Land Use )

Direct local investments toward climate-vulnerable communities rather than concentrating resources in already well-protected, high-value areas.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Planning/Land Use )

Integrate objective climate-adaptation standards into local design guides (open space, shade, permeability at site/neighborhood scale)—use pilots while state guidance matures.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Promote “implement-while-you-plan” pilot projects for housing.

Long Beach used transportation pop-up projects (like temporary bike lanes) to show residents what planned changes would look like. Proposed to extend this method to housing and open space: tree planting, shade courts, or small resilience retrofits during general plan updates. Goal is to make planning tangible and allow mid-project pivots based on community feedback.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Scale up local taskforces and consolidated resource guides to improve navigation of programs.

LA County’s Rapid Taskforce Deployment - Creation of Resource Guides for Home Efficiency and Resilience: Within the taskforce, colleagues at SCAG (Southern California Association of Governments) are leading efforts to consolidate scattered programs into a single resource guide for efficient and resilient homes. Tools like “Switch is On” (searchable by ZIP code) are part of this effort, but participants noted that even consolidated lists can be overwhelming for residents unless paired with guidance and eligibility navigation. The goal is to stack and layer incentives behind the scenes so residents receive streamlined rebates or direct benefits, rather than needing to navigate dozens of disconnected programs.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Neighborhood-scale resilience pilots (tree canopy expansions, shade courts, cool roofs/streets) co-delivered with housing programs and tracked for co-benefits.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Public education on fire/heat resilience at the household and block scale (planting, shading, materials choices) integrated with housing outreach.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Construction/Installation/Procurement )

Nature-based site retrofits with housing work (rain capture, shade trees, natural materials) during rehabilitation to build resilience “by default.”

State Solution Opportunities

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Construction/Installation/Procurement )

Resilience retrofit initiatives for aging stock (cooling, electrification, seismic, wildfire-hardening) with cost-containment to avoid tenant pass-throughs.

The Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program (LCI) provides state-level funding for cooling infrastructure and local engagement projects, helping localities develop proactive adaptation measures

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Program Implementation and Outreach )

Public education on fire/heat resilience embedded in permitting and developer orientations statewide.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Program Implementation and Outreach )

State-funded neighborhood resilience pilots (tree canopy, cool materials, micro-parks) co-delivered with housing programs; document benefits and scale via guidance.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Issue objective climate-adaptation design standards for housing (open space, shade, permeability, stormwater) or explicitly authorize local adoption.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Prioritize state investments to climate-vulnerable communities, not just high-value areas (re-balance funding criteria).

Solution Spotlight

No results found.

It is too difficult to rebuild homes after disaster

Rebuilding Challenges

View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.

Filtered Database

Local Solution Opportunities

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution, State Solution

(Type of Activity: Construction/Installation/Procurement )

Pre-approved templates for resilient rebuilding: Creating standardized designs or toolkits for wildfire-, heat-, and earthquake-ready homes. These could function like ‘pattern books,’ allowing households to select from pre-approved specifications that accelerate permitting and reduce costs.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Construction/Installation/Procurement )

Community-scale firebreaks designed for dual use: Creating firebreaks that function as recreational space during normal times and as protective buffers during wildfires.

In LA County, supervisors and local leaders (e.g., in Altadena) have begun championing such resilient rebuilding strategies to keep communities open to alternatives beyond like-for-like restoration.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Provide taskforce and resource coordination to help local governments and communities navigate complex recovery programs.

LA County’s Rapid Taskforce Deployment - Speed of response: LA County “was so quick to stand [the taskforce] up” that both state and federal agencies, accustomed to slower response, were caught off guard and had to catch up. Multi-jurisdictional complexity: The taskforce had to coordinate across five counties under a single federal emergency declaration, each with different needs (e.g., Malibu vs. Sierra Madre vs. Altadena vs. Sunny Mesa). Different utilities also created challenges — some areas already undergrounded lines, others had not. Adaptability: The taskforce model demonstrated the importance of regional tailoring — recognizing that climate and fire impacts, as well as infrastructure readiness, vary substantially across localities. Scaling challenge: While rapid deployment was effective, state and federal partners found it difficult to scale or replicate because they lacked similar preparation and coordination frameworks.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Local fast-track rebuild pathways (clear checklists, disaster-specific timelines, and inter-departmental triage teams) to restore housing quickly and resiliently.

Pasadena loaning planners to Sierra Madre to accelerate permits post LA fires.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Harness community volunteer energy while balancing ecological needs (e.g., phased reforestation timelines).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

Expand education efforts to combat misinformation about fire causes and recovery responsibilities (workshops, Q&As, accessible planning tools).

State-supported recovery Q&As post LA fire to clarify deadlines and requirements, and toolkits like the Living Infrastructure Field Kit to help communities understand risks and design resilience projects.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution

(Type of Activity: Community Program Implementation )

One-stop local rebuild assist centers (navigation for permits, insurance documentation, and contractor matching) to reduce trauma and time out of home.

State Solution Opportunities

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

Local Solution, State Solution

(Type of Activity: Construction/Installation/Procurement )

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Support insurance market functionality in high-risk areas (diversify carriers; coordinate with Insurance Commissioner on resilience-tied incentives).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Institutionalize community governance models to prevent displacement during rebuilding.

East Georgia Land Trust is a promising example, demonstrating how land trusts can expand from affordable housing into climate resilience and rebuilding efforts.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Require resilience standards in recovery/rebuilding instead of defaulting to pre-fire conditions.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Streamline permitting processes and address conflicting statutes (e.g., ADUs in high-fire zones).

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Program Implementation and Outreach )

State-supported one-stop rebuild assistance centers (permit navigation, insurance documentation, contractor matching) deployed after disasters.

Local or State

Solution

Existing Examples of Progress

Further Progress Pathways

State Solution

(Type of Activity: Policy/Regulation )

Codify fast-track post-disaster rebuild pathways (clear checklists, clocks, inter-agency triage) to restore homes quickly and resiliently.

Governor’s Executive Orders post LA fires for rebuilding that was reviewed every 60 days to remove bottlenecks

Solution Spotlight

No results found.