Social Housing in California
Over the past few years, a movement has emerged which asks us to rethink the role of government in American housing. Activists, legislators and policy wonks are pushing for "social housing", a set of ideas that have two main things in common. Social Housing generally includes a stronger role for the government in housing, especially in housing development. Social housing also draws from inspiration from around the world to reimagine how and for whom we build housing.
Social Housing has different definitions, draws on different traditions in housing, and brings together a diverse set of thinkers and organizers. As part of our effort to build public understanding of complex planning & development issues like housing, The Institute for Metropolitan Studies partnered with the Human Rights Institute to present a series of educational conversations about Social Housing.
A living archive
Below you will find the recordings of those conversations, alongside a detailed archive to help you do your own research about Social Housing, where it comes from and what it means to different communities. Some of the links are to academic analyses and books by scholars. The majority of documents and links are primary source documents - legislation, newspaper articles, or reports and websites from other organizations. These represent the opinions and research of the people that wrote them, a way for students and researchers to understand what advocates are advocating for, or what they mean when they say social housing. Inclusion in this list does not constitute an endorsement of the ideas, research methodologies or platforms by the IMS or any of our partners.
A Labor Approach to Social Housing with Working Parterships USA. Air date: May 20, 2026. Jeffrey Buchanan and colleagues from Working Partnerships USA join us to share their brand new report on how to build Working Families Housing in Santa Clara County and beyond.
Social Housing in America: A Coversation with Sen. Stanley Chang and Natalie Foster. Air date: May 7, 2025. Hawaii State Senator Stanley Chang (website) and author and President of the Economic Security Project Natalie Foster (Economic Security Project) discuss policy approaches, implications for the Bay Area and beyond, and what it will take to make it happen, hosted by policy advisor and IMS Fellow Dr. Alex Schafran.
The Future of Social Housing: A Coversation with Jennifer Martinez (Chan Zuckerberg Initiative), Regina Williams (SV@Home), and Tomiquia Moss (All Home). Air date: May 26, 2023. This expert panel reacts to currently proposed legislation and provide their views on social housing and the provision of housing as a human right.
Social Housing and California: A Conversation with Assemblymember Alex Lee. Air date: April 25, 2022. Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San José) explained his journey to co-authoring AB2053: The Social Housing Act of 2022, in conversation with IMS Visiting Scholar Dr. Alex Schafran.
California Resources:
California Social Housing
(Advocate Website) created by AB2053 team, 2021.East Bay DSA Social Housing Committee
Assemblyman Alex Lee’s New ‘Social Housing’ Bill Would Put State in Development Business
Brief (Article) on the 2021 version of social housing bill, written by Emmanuel Lee, 2021.Housing in Brief: A $64 Million Vote for Social Housing Passes in San Francisco
A measure to set aside $64M for social housing was approved by the city’s Board of Supervisors passed in February. Allocates $$ to a city program called the “SmallSites Housing Acquisition Program,” which purchases housing whose tenants are at risk of eviction and keeps the building permanently affordable. (Article) witten by Roshan Abraham, 2022.South San Francisco could get social housing ballot measure in November election
Draft ballot measure that would authorize SSF to develop, build or acquire a number of units equal to 1% of the total number of units existing in the city year over year for three decades. (Article) written by Aldo Toledo, 2022.Will LA Start Building Public Housing Again?
Proposed legislation calls on city staffers to study European models for social housing and how they might be brought to Los Angeles. (Article) written by Jenna Chandler, 2020.Councilmember Mike Bonin Addresses LA Homelessness, Evictions & Social Housing
Representing much of the City's Westside and strongly opposed to trickle-down housing mandates by the state legislature, Councilmember Bonin underscores the systemi challenges undergirding homelessness and lauds recent efforts by the council to ensure equitable access to affordable housing citywide. (Article) written by Planning Report Staff, 2021.San Francisco Small Sites Program
The program provides loans to nonprofit organizations, to buy buildings before an investor does. The buildings are then converted to permanently affordable housing. SF MOHCD, 2014 (Government Websites).AB2053
2022 California State Assembly Bill to create Social Housing; (Legislation).Motion to study Social Housing in Los Angeles
2020 Motion to produce report on Social Housing a la Singapore Model by Councilmember Mike Bonin; (Legislation [pdf]).Social Housing
Best practices, case studies of social housing, and ways to phase into social housing. (Video) made by SV @ Home, 2022.Growing Social Housing: A Conversation with Shanti Singh (Tenants Together / San Francisco Housing Stability Fund Oversight Board), and Daniel Aldana Cohen (Climate + Community Project / UC Berkeley). Air Date: April 26, 2022. Two leading voices for social housing explore what social housing means to the housing movement, how it can be part of a Green New Deal, and what it means on the ground in San Francisco, New York City and and across the country.
US Book list: Understanding the push for social housing in the United States requires a good foundation in US housing history. These books will help you understand the development of the American Housing system.
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Radford, Gail. "Modern housing for America." Modern Housing for America. University of Chicago Press, 2008. - Rosen, Eva. "The Voucher Promise." The Voucher Promise. Princeton University Press, 2020.
- Austen, Ben. High-risers: Cabrini-green and the fate of American public housing. HarperCollins, 2018.
- Bloom, Nicholas Dagen. "Public Housing That Worked." Public Housing That Worked. University of Pennsylvania Press, 2014.
- Bloom, Nicholas Dagen, and Matthew Gordon Lasner, eds. Affordable housing in New York: The people, places, and policies that transformed a city. Princeton University Press, 2016.
- Schwartz, Alex F. Housing policy in the United States. Routledge, 2021.
- Tighe, Rosie, and Elizabeth Mueller. The affordable housing reader. Routledge, 2013.
- Taylor, Keeanga-Yamahtta. Race for profit: How banks and the real estate industry undermined black homeownership. UNC Press Books, 2019.
- Jenkins, Destin. "The Bonds of Inequality." The Bonds of Inequality. University of Chicago Press, 2021.
- Desmond, Matthew. Evicted: Poverty and profit in the American city. Crown, 2016.
- Bratt, Rachel G., Michael E. Stone, and Chester W. Hartman, eds. A right to housing: Foundation for a new social agenda. Temple University Press, 2006.
- Sugrue, Thomas J. The Origins of the Urban Crisis. Princeton University Press, 2014.
- Hays, R. Allen. The federal government and urban housing. SUNY Press, 1995.
US Resources:
(Seattle) Social Housing The Return of the American Neighborhood (a Building Tenant Power workshop)
Do you know the difference between affordable housing, public housing, and social housing? How could social housing impact renters and what do we need to do to fight for it to become a reality here in Seattle? (Advocate Video) by Be:Seattle, 2021.(General US) Section 3 - BREATHE Act
Minimal language but Section 3 of BREATHE Act calls for "a robust social housing program, including 12 million new and permanently affordable units...". (Advocate Website [pdf]) by Movement for Black Lives(Seattle) Initiative 135 Overview
An initiative to create the Seattle Social Housing Developer to develop, own, and maintain social housing for all of the workforce and communities in Seattle. (Advocate Website) by House Our Neighbors, 2022.(Seattle) What is Social Housing?
Primer on Social Housing from "House Our Neighbors" - coalition advocating for social housing/public housing in Seattle. (Advocate Website) by House Our Neighbors, 2022.(Seattle) A Closer Look into Seattle’s Public Developer for Social Housing Ballot Initiative
House Our Neighbors! coalition filed a petition for a ballot initiative asking Seattle voters to weigh in on the creation of a public developer tasked with creating and owning social housing in Seattle. (Article) by Natalie Bicknell Argerious, 2022.(New York City) Staking New York City’s Future on Social Housing
To fend off an affordability crisis, NYC council member and comptroller candidate Brad Lander has proposed a plan to dramatically ramp up the city’s public housing stock. (Article) by Sarah Holder, 2021.(General US) America Needs Social Housing
Freeing Black and brown tenants from the rent gouging, health violations, and eviction threats employed by corporate landlords and Wall Street investors. (Article) by DaMareo Cooper, 2022.(General US) The Case for Social Housing
To ensure housing and economic security for all Americans, the government should pass legislation to build millions of green social housing units across the country, effectively creating a public option for housing. (Article) by Daniel Aldana Cohen, Mark Paul, 2021(General US) Social Housing substack
Substack for leading social housing promotor, (Blog) by Paul E. Williams.(New York City) Housing As a Public Good: A Social Housing Plan for NYC
Social Housing plan drafted by recently-elected Comptroller Brad Lander. (Candidacy Website) by Brad Lander, 2021.(Maryland) Maryland HB 1178: Department of Housing and Community Development – Social Housing Act of 2019
2019 MD Assembly Bill for Social Housing by Delegates Stewart, Acevero, Charkoudian, Lehman, and Wells. (Legislation).(Maryland) Maryland HB 1149: Social Housng Subproigram (Social Housing Act)
2020 MD Assembly Bill for Social Housing by Delegates Stewart, Acevero, Lehman, Moon, Palakovich Carr, and Ruth. (Legislation).(Hawaii) SB1 SD2
Establishes the ALOHA homes program to develop low-cost homes on state-owned and county-owned land in urban redevelopment sites to be sold in leasehold by the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation (HHFDC) to qualified residents. (Legislation) by State Senator Stanley Chang, 2021.(General US) Social Housing Is Becoming a Mainstream Policy Goal in the US
Jacobin article discussing the growth of social housing as a maintstream idea in the US. Includes examples of what it considers to be social housing, (Magazine Article) by Galen Hurz.(Hawaii) Singapore Makes Housing Work. Can We Do The Same?
The success of Singapore’s public housing holds lessons for Hawaii — and solutions. (Op-Ed) by State Senator Stanley Chang, 2021.(US) Social Housing in the U.S. Part 1. Part 2
Answers questions like: What is social housing? Does social housing differ from affordable housing?What federal, state, and local policies can support social housing? (Advocate Website) by Oksana Mironova, Thomas J. Waters, 2020.(US) Housing in Brief: What is Social Housing?
Background on what social housing is and how it looks like in international context. (Article) by Jared Brey, 2021.(US) Social Housing For All
What is social housing and how do we get it? (Advocate Website [pdf]) by The Center for Popular Democracy, Renters Rising, 2022.(US) Social Housing in the United States
Large-scale municipal housing, built and owned by the state, is by far the best option for solving the affordability crisis. (Advocate Website [pdf]) by Ryan Cooper & Peter Gowan, 2017.(US) Remaking the Economy: Social Housing—A Path to Housing for All?
90-min moderated conversation social housing, what it means, and what it will take to make it happen. (Video/Moderated Discussion) by Shelterforce + Nonprofit Quarterly (Organizers) + Gianpaolo Baiocchi, Bernie Mazyck, Krystle Okafor, Roberto de la Riva Rojas (Panelists), 2021.(US) The Solution Is Social Housing
How can we solve the housing crisis? Simple: have the government build more housing. (Article) by Ryan Cooper & Saoirse Gowan, 2018.Social Housing in Context: A Conversation with Karen Chapple (Urban Displacement Project / Univ. of Toronto), Prentiss Dantzler (Univ. of Toronto) and Alejandra Reyes (UC Irvine). Air Date: Friday, April 29, 2022. Leading experts on the history and current contexts of affordable housing, public housing, and social housing strategies joined in conversation with IMS director Gordon Douglas about what lessons we can bring to considering social housing in the Bay Area and beyond.
International Resouces:
(Vienna/Austria) The Austrian System of Social Housing Finance
The economic and social efficiency of the system of limited-profit housing associations in Austria and their position between state and market. The institutional and legal framework, public subsidies and new methods in capital market financing that play a decisive role in their success. (Academic Article [pdf]) by Wolfgang Amman and Alexis Mundt, 2005.(Vienna) Red Vienna: How Austria’s capital earned its place in housing history
Between the two world wars, Vienna undertook one of the most ambitious public housing programmes ever. That effort is still credited with maintaining affordability a century later. (Article) by Jake Blumgart, (era covered 1919-1934).(Vienna) Vienna’s Unique Social Housing Program
In practice for nearly a century, Vienna’s social housing system is known as an effective and innovative model for providing superior, affordable housing to the city’s residents. (Government Website) by HUD User, (era covered 1919-1934).(Vienna) Municipal politics: "Red Vienna" - a success story
From 1919 to 1934 more than 60,000 flats were built creating housing space for approximately 220,000 people. The financial basis for this large-scale public housing planning was a tax system opening up new tax resources for municipal politics. (Government Website) by City of Vienna, (era covered 1919-193).(Vienna) Vienna's most important social housing buildings
Photos/locations of Red Vienna buildings throughout Vienna. (Government Website) by Vienna Travel, (era covered 1919-1934).(Vienna) Why rich people in Austria want to live in housing projects
About 3 in 5 residents of Austria's capital Vienna, rich and poor, live in a “Gemeindebau” — public housing provided and managed entirely by the city — as well as other subsidized social housing typically run by nonprofit associations. (Article) by Denise Hruby, 2015.(Vienna) Learning From Vienna and Vienna's Social Housing Model
Lessons from Vienna's Social Housing Model that can be practiced in the US context. (Article) by Richard Layman, 2015.(Vienna) Vienna's Radical Idea? Affordable Housing For All
As cities around the world grapple with a crisis of affordable housing, Vienna has been keeping it at bay. How the Austrian capital got there may offer a model strategy for cities worldwide. (Video) by CityLab Staff, 2021.(Finland) A Home of Your Own
Handbook on Finland's Housing First and Ending Homelessness Model (adopted 2008). Not entirely social housing but heavy crossover. (Guide/Handbook [pdf]) by Y-Foundation, 2017, (era covered 2008- ).(Finland) Putting Finnish Housing Design into Context: The Helsinki Experience
Overview of Finland's Housing Policy but provides strict definition of "Social Housing" in Finnish context. (Academic Article [pdf]) by Cynthia Myntti, 2007.(Sweden) The Million Homes Programme: a review of the great Swedish planning project
To end ahousing shortage once and for all, the Swedish parliament decided that a million new dwellings should be built from 1965-1974 and this was achieved. When the Million Homes Programme had reached barely half‐way, the housing shortage was replaced by a housing surplus. (Academic Article) by Thomas Hall, Sonja Viden (era covered 1965-1974).(Sweden) How Sweden's innovative housing programme fell foul of privatisation
Critique of increased privitization of the Million Homes Programme. (Article) by Owen Hatherley, 2013.(Sweden) Renewal of The Swedish Million Dwelling program, the Public HousingCompany and the Local Community, Hindrances and Mutual Aid
Renewal of the million program dwellings and housingareas in close contact with tenants and the association oftenants has proven to be successful among many of the studiedpublic housing companies and also the ability to engagetenants in taking care of their dwellings and housing areas. (Academic Article [pdf]) by Lars Steiner, Zahra Ahmadi, 2013.
(Germany) Public Housing - A Singapore Icon
In postwar Germany, a cooperative run by trade unionists created Europe’s largest housing company. Building over 400K homes, “Neue Heimat” showed we don’t have to live on the terms dictated by landlords — we can take control for ourselves. (Article) by David O'connell, (era covered 1940s-1980s).(Singapore) Public Housing - A Singapore Icon
With more than 1 million flats spread across 24 towns and 3 estates, the Singapore brand of public housing is uniquely different. The flats spell home for over 80% of Singapore's resident population, of which, about 90% own their home. (Government Website) by Housing & Development Board (Singapore Government).(Singapore) "But what about Singapore?" Lessons from the best public housing program in the world
Success of Singapore's public housing in the context of implementing the New Urban Agenda and the provision at scale of high quality affordable housing, a key part of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 of building sustainable cities and communities. (Article) by Abhas Jha, 2018.(Singapore) Singapore: Affordable Housing for All
Large, affordable apartments in a good location are rare in most cities. But not in Singapore. With space at a premium in the city-state, the government has built homes en masse. Some 80 percent of Singaporeans live in these state subsidized apartments. (Video) by Deustche Welle, 2021.(Spain) Spain to dedicate 1 billion euros in EU funds to social housing
Spain putting more $ into Social Housing Fund. Social Housing % of units far lower than OECD/Europe average. (Article) by Reuters Staff, 2022.(Europe) Country Profile
Profile of each social housing system operating in Europe. (Advocate Website) by Housing Europe.(Europe) Study on Financing of Social Housing in 6 European Countries
Financing in Austria, England, Netherlands, Germany, Finland, and France. (Academic Study) by CODHAS Housing Europe Observatory, 2013.(Chile) I built my own social housing: the rise of Chile's half-house
After an earthquake and tsunami devastated Constitución, in south Chile, architect Alejandro Aravena is developing a new type of social housing, one that uses the techniques of the slum. His ‘half-houses’ are exactly that – houses that leave one side for residents to complete themselves. (Video) by The Guardian (era covered 2004- ).(Chile) Quinta Monroy, Chile by Alejandro Aravena: Architectre for social impact
Social housing built by private firm in Chile with participatory construction. (Article) by Rethink the Future (era covered 2004- ).(Canada) Canada's Social and Affordable Housing Landscape
Describes the social and affordable housing landscape that exists in Canada today. (Advocate Website [pdf]) by Housing Services Corporation, 2013.(Bolivia) Social Housing in Bolivia: Challenges and Contradictions
Overview of Social Housing program and mixed record since implementation. (Article) by Emily P. Achtenberg, 2009.(France) Social Housing in France with Magda Maaoui
The SRU Law was adopted 20 years ago, requiring many French municipalities to increase their social housing stock to 20%, and later 25%, of all housing. The law has been successful, especially in Paris, but many urban areas continue to hold out, preferring to pay a fee to the national government rather than meet their social housing targets. (Academic Podcast) by UCLA Housing Voice, 2022.(South Africa/Cape Town) Social Housing in South Africa
Social Housing is a rental or co-operative housing option for households earning between R1 501 - R15 000 per month. Social Housing projects require management by an institution, which should be an accredited Social Housing Institution. Social Housing projects are developed within areas that contribute to spatial, economic and social development. (Government Website) by Western Cape Government.(South Africa) Can social housing help South Africa overcome its legacy of apartheid?
South African cities are among the most unequal and segregated in the world. In an effort to address chronic housing shortages, the government has delivered more than 3.5 million free homes since 1994. (Article) by Irene Salenson, Andreas Scheba, Ivan Turok, Justin Visagie, 2021.(South Africa) Social Housing in South AfricaA feasible option for low-income households?
Outlines the Social Housing Policy, raises questions regarding the available enabling environment and the viability issues of affordability and sustainability, and highlights impact on the low income housing program in Netreg, Cape Town. (Academic Article [pdf]) by Astrid Wicht, 1999.(Scotland) What is Social Housing?
Overview of social housing options in Scotland. (Video) by Housing Options Scotland, 2020.(Scotland) Scottish Social Housing
Social housing in Scotland is housing owned and managed by public authorities (mainly councils) and housing associations (registered social landlords or RSLs). (Government Website) by the Scottish Gorvernment.(New Zeland) Overview of the NZ Social Housing System
The government provides subsidised rental housing through state-owned housing managed by Kāinga Ora (Housing New Zealand) and also through around 60 community housing organisations such as churches, iwi and housing trusts. (Advocate Website) by Community Law.(Canada/Ontario) Social Housing
Social housing is a government-assisted housing that provided rent-geared-to-income and affordable rental units to households with low-to-moderate incomes. Social housing can include: public housing, not-for-profit and co-operative housing. Learn more about qualifying and applying for the City of London social housing. (Government Website) by City of London, Ontario.(Mauritius) Transforming Social Housing (Part 1), (Part 2)
In December 2014, the newly elected Government announced the construction of 10,000 NHDC housing units for the working poor over the next 5 years. As of May 2018, 1,358 NHDC housing units were built whereas 20,778 people are on the waiting list. (Article) by Rambassun Sewpal, 2019.(United Kingdom) Renting and Social Housing
Social housing is lower-cost rented housing provided by landlords registered with the social housing regulator, known as a social landlord. Social landlords could be a council or a housing association. (Government Website) by the UK Government.(Australia/New South Wales) Social Housing
Social housing is secure and affordable rental housing for people on low incomes with housing needs. It includes: public housing, community housing, housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. (Government Website) by New South Wales.(Canada/Ontario) Social Housing
Social housing is government-assisted housing that provides lower cost rental units to households with low-to-moderate incomes and can include:public housing, not-for-profit and co-operative housing, rent supplement programs, and rural and native housing. (Government Website) by Ontario Government.(Australia/New South Wales) A housing explainer - social housing in Victoria
Facts and figuers about social housing in Victoria. (Government Website) by the City of Victoria NSW.(Canada) Administration of Social Housing
Administration of social housing portfolio in Canada. (Government Website) by the Canadian Government.(Europe) Social Housing in Europe - A brief history: from construction to demonization (w/subtitles)
The European Action Coalition for the Right to Housing and the City (EAC) launches a series of videos on Social Housing in Europe, with the purpose of knowledge-sharing. In this first video we look at history and see how public and social housing in Europe has developed since the end of the Second World War up to today. (Advocate Video) by European Action Coalition, 2021.(Ireland) Social Housing
The housing crisis is one of the central issues of our time. Many people say we need to build far more social housing than planned, to help solve it. For many decades, the State built huge numbers of houses in Ireland, then it stopped. What happened, and why? (Video) by RTE - Ireland's National Public Media Service, 2019.(Singapore) How Singapore Fixed Its Housing Problem
Singapore had a severe housing shortage decades ago. But it developed one of the world's best public housing programs, which has also allowed a huge number of its citizens to buy their own homes. (Video) by Bloomberg, 2019.(France) The story behind social housing in France
In France, some 10 million people live in HLMs or "habitations à loyer modéré": subsidised homes for those whose income is below a certain level. By law, at least 20% of housing in every town across the country must be an HLM. But even so, demand exceeds supply. (Video) by France 24, 2017.(Australia) Social housing boost could power Australia's recovery from coronavirus recession | ABC News
A coalition of anti-poverty groups, unions, construction industry bodies and the multi-billion-dollar heft of the industry super sector have come together to try to fix Australia's biggest housing problem: social housing. (Video) by ABC News Australia, 2020.(Chile) Norman Foster and Alejandro Aravena on Social Housing - 'Future of Cities' Conversations Series
In this conversation, Norman Foster and Alejandro Aravena discuss the origin of his architecture studio, ELEMENTAL, as well as some of his most notable work, including the Half of a Good House project, whose objective was to provide quality housing to lower and middle-class families in Chile. (Advocate Video) by Norman Foster Foundation, 2021.(Global) Comparing Social Housing: 30 Projects from Countries Around the World
6 Social Housing Systems and 30 Photographed Examples of Housing. (Article) by Niall Patrick Walsh, 2022.(Global) Social Housing syllabus
Consolidated topic on Science Direct Website. (Academic Articles) by Science Direct.(Global) Social housing: A key part of past and future housing policy
Comprehensive overview of social housing theory, policy, applications. (Government Website [pdf]) by OECD, 2020.(Global) Defining Social Housing: A Discussion on the Suitable Criteria
The lack of a definition often leads to misunderstandings, rather than constructive dialogue on the advantages and disadvantages of such a system. The aim of this article is to contribute to clarity by providing a discussion on the potential defining criteria of social housing and suggesting a definition of the concept. (Academic Article) by Anna Granath Hansson, Bjorn Lundgren, 2019.(Global) Why is social housing important?
At Shelter, we believe that we need to build more of all kinds of homes, but particularly more social rented homes. This is to ensure that everybody on a low income can afford their housing costs. (Advocate Video) by Shelter, 2015.
