IRVINE, CA—We need to stop addressing California's housing crisis through competing interests fighting each other, and the state needs to find a way to bring those interests together in a way that puts less constraint on developers, Cox Castle Nicholson partner Tim Paone tells GlobeSt.com.

According to Paone, in its recent draft assessment of “California's Housing Future,” the State's Department of Housing and Community Development made these observations, among others:

• California needs 180,000 new homes each year while annual production over the last 10 years has averaged fewer than 80,000 homes.
• Californians overpay for housing, commute too far, and are overcrowded.
• The existing system of land-use regulation creates barriers to development.
• The housing crisis makes it difficult for California businesses to attract and retain employees.
• A smaller percentage of Californians own their homes than at any time since the 1940s.

Paone offers several perspectives on this, including a call to the Legislature to reconcile legitimate environmental concerns, the challenges of climate change, the need for greater housing affordability and the increasing demand for housing of all types. He maintains that the state cannot simply decree that more affordable housing be built; it needs to face the reality that those who build homes will not do so unless it makes sound business sense.

We spoke with Paone about the state's housing crisis and how it should be addressed.