Santa Cruz Earns 'Pro-Housing' Designation From State

SANTA CRUZ, CA — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has designated Rohnert Park, Santa Cruz, and South San Francisco as "pro-housing" communities for reducing barriers to building more housing.

The status makes the cities eligible for funding incentives and additional resources through a state grant program, the governor's office announced Friday.

The three cities bring the state's total of "pro-housing" communities to 30, Newsom said in a statement.

The pro-housing movement is a response to California's severe housing shortage. The state's population is expected to grow by 10 million by 2050, and the deficit will only worsen without more housing.

"These cities are showing the local leadership California needs to tackle our state's housing crisis," Newsom said. "They stand in stark contrast to the handful of locals who are failing their constituents and refusing to help California families struggling with runaway housing costs."

"We will continue to celebrate cities like Rohnert Park, Santa Cruz and South San Francisco while holding bad actors accountable with executive action and in the courts when necessary," the governor said.

In the Bay Area, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County and the town of Windsor won pro-housing designation by the governor in July.

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