California has the highest housing deficit in the country

A study published by Up for Growth revealed that California has the highest housing deficit in the United States. The state requires the construction of 980,000 properties to solve the problem.

There is not enough housing in California for the growing number of people in need of a housing solution. The measurement detailed that 47 states, the District of Columbia and 169 of the 309 metropolitan areas have a housing shortage at this time. Underproduction reached 3.79 million units, up from 1.65 million in 2012. The increase in underbuilt housing totals 980,000 and represents an 82% increase compared to that year.

"With the nation at 3.8 million households not meeting housing needs, the U.S. is in an extreme state of housing underproduction," Mike Kingsella, CEO of Up for Growth, said in a statement.

The second highest shortfall state is Texas, where 322,000 homes are needed, and Florida with 289,000.

Proposals to curb the crisis

Several legislators have introduced bills to boost housing construction in the state. One of these proposals is Senate Bill 9, which took effect Jan. 1 and allows homeowners to subdivide their homes, allowing a maximum of four units to be built on a zoned single-family parcel.

California State Assembly Member Buffy Wicks, introduced a proposal that would allow real estate to be built on "underutilized commercial sites," including areas zoned for office, parking and retail.

Moreover, the report details that the causes of California's housing crisis are "high economic mobility, access to jobs, and existing infrastructure."