Introduction
In the wake of devastating fires in Los Angeles, thousands of residents are left wondering how they will rebuild their homes. The bureaucratic hurdles associated with permitting and construction in California pose significant challenges. In this California Insider interview, Michael Bohn, a member of the American Institute of Architects, discusses the current approval process, the obstacles to rebuilding, and what steps the city and state can take to streamline the process.The Housing Crisis in California
Siyamak Khorrami: Even before the fires, California was already in a housing crisis. Can you elaborate on that?Michael Bohn: Absolutely. Our state was already short by 3.5 million housing units, leading to rising homelessness and soaring housing costs. In Los Angeles County alone, approximately 75,000 people are homeless, with about 50,000 residing in the city. This preexisting crisis has been significantly exacerbated by the recent fires, which displaced thousands of residents and further strained an already tight housing market. As more people seek temporary or permanent housing solutions, the demand for affordable housing has surged, creating additional challenges for both policymakers and affected communities.
