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By Eric Johnson
Published May 20, 2024

Construction of multifamily housing developments is set to skyrocket in the next half decade. Construction of multifamily housing developments is set to skyrocket in the next half decade. Image credit: Sundry Photography, Shutterstock

Here Comes the California Housing Boom

For California Local members who are tired of the state's endless housing crisis, this week's edition of The Newsletter brings good news. And as always there's somethiing for everyone who would like to know what's up in their own neighborhood just below, in our carefully curated News Digest. And yes: A featured local nonprofit, and a recipe!


What You Should Know About the State's Ambitious Housing Plans, and How to Get Involved

Here at California Local we see what’s coming out of most of the newsrooms in ten Northern California counties and select important stories to include in our News Digest (see below). In doing so over the past couple of months, our friend and colleague Chris Neklason noticed two phrases appearing everywhere, as cities and counties raced to complete the “housing element” of their “general plans.” 

We understand that not all of you are familiar with those two terms, and may not yet be aware that California is already experiencing the start of a housing boom. Folks in Santa Cruz, where Chris lives, are well aware of this fact, as downtown is in the midst of a dramatic transformation, and the same thing is happening here in Midtown Sacramento. In these two articles, Chris explains how this works, and how you can help shape the way it will all play out on the ground.


The Coming California Housing Boom

New six-story apartment buildings in downtown Santa Cruz loom large over a funky one and two-story plaza one block away which is home to Redwood Records, The Bagelry (est 1977) and the world renowned Kuumbwa Jazz Center.
Suddenly, a lot of housing is being built across the state.

How California Manages Housing as a Public Resource

207 units of market rate housing in Santa Cruz almost ready for occupancy in May 2024
Like the 33 million acres of forest in California, the nearly 15 million units of housing in the state are tended and managed with future generations in mind. Meet the California Department of Housing and Community Development.


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Sacramento County's Homepage

Direct your browser to https://sacramento.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Sacramento County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Spring! cookbook.


Savory cherry sauce perfect for grilling season

Savory cherry sauce with sweet onions makes a wonderful accompaniment to grilled pork.
New! Savory cherry sauce with sweet onions goes great with pork, chicken


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Get to Know a Group

Big Brothers Big Sisters logo Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brother Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported mentorship. The chapter serves Sacramento and Yolo counties, as well as southern Placer County.

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From Our Media Allies

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Tahoe Daily Tribune logo California State Parks Foundation Calls on the Legislature to Restore Library Parks Pass Funding

California State Parks Foundation responded to Governor Newsom's revised 2024-2025 budget and raised concern about the elimination of funding for a popular state park access program, the California State Library Parks Pass.

Folsom Times logo Barbara Leary Announces Run for Folsom City Council Dist. 4

Longtime public servant and dedicated community advocate, Barbara Leary, has officially announced her candidacy for Folsom City Council, representing District 4.

Sacramento News and Review logo No, the Isleton Crawdad Festival Is Not Leaving Isleton

Some confusion has engulfed the internet about where the most-historic crawdad festival in the West is happening this summer.

Folsom Telegraph logo In a Roundabout Way: Folsom Sees Benefits of 'Rotaries' Outweighing Stoplights, Including Fewer Collisions

Following a safety trend nationwide, the city of Folsom is moving toward building traffic roundabouts over traditional stoplights.

Folsom Telegraph logo Folsom Accepting Ideas for Community Service Day

The city of Folsom is accepting project ideas for its 11th annual Community Service Day on Saturday, September 21..

Folsom Telegraph logo SB1 Funds Aim to Keep Roads Looking 'Good'

The Folsom Public Works Department announced $2.2 million in upcoming road projects to keep city streets rated as "good." Part of the funds will go to resurfacing East Bidwell Street from Riley Street to Blue Ravine Road.

Folsom Times logo EDH Fire Premieres “Kyle’s Story” to Raise Helmet Safety Awareness

The El Dorado Hills Fire Department has released the premiere of "Kyle’s Story," a compelling documentary that explores the serious consequences of not wearing a helmet through the personal journey of a local teenager Kyle Benton.

Folsom Times logo $1.2M in ARPA Funds Approved for HVAC System at Folsom Senior Center

In its May 14 meeting, the Folsom City Council approved allocating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the County of Sacramento for the replacement and upgrade of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems at the Folsom Community Center …

Folsom Times logo City of Folsom Greenlights $451K Roundabout Feasibility Study

Following the May 14 Folsom City Council meeting, a roundabout policy and feasibility study will soon be underway for the City of Folsom that will cost more than $451K to perform, but will be paid for through grant funding.

Sacramento News and Review logo Rancho Cordova Youth Center’s Book Vending Machine Gets Kids Excited to Read

Keyshawn Davis Youth members run out of the Rancho Cordova Youth Center doors excited about what they will show their parents.

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Recent Local News

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Sacramento State to Host Office for Black Student Advancement

Sacramento State will be home to the central office for the $10 million Black student advancement drive on all 23 California State University campuses.

(05/20/2024) → CapPublicRadio

School District Adds School Days to Avoid Penalties

The state Board of Education granted a waiver to a penalty of $40 million to the Sacramento City Unified School District for a lapse of eight days of instruction due to a teacher strike if the district makes up the days over 2 years.

(05/17/2024) → The Sacramento Observer

Panelists Discuss Inclusive Sacramento

On May 9, a Solving Sacramento panel discussion were upbeat on the potential for Sacramento to grow an inclusive economy.

(05/15/2024) → The Sacramento Observer

Advocates Oppose Plans to Close Homeless Camp

Residents and supporters of self-governing homeless "Camp Resolution" marched to Sacramento city hall on May 15 in opposition of city plans to close the camp.

(05/15/2024) → CapPublicRadio

Sacramento City Council Approves Electric Appliance Plan

In its May 14 meeting, the Sacramento City Council unanimously approved a plan to encourage residents and businesses to replace gas appliances with electric.

(05/15/2024) → CapPublicRadio

Counties Prepare for Mosquito Season

Mosquito vector control agencies are preparing for mosquito season in San Joaquin and Sacramento counties.

(05/14/2024) → CapPublicRadio

Citrus Heights Fights Shopping Cart Theft

In its April 25 meeting, the Citrus Heights City Council heard a report from the police department detailing efforts to reduce shopping cart theft, noting that over 1,500 carts had been removed from city streets in 2023.

(05/14/2024) → Citrus Heights Sentinel
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Recent Statewide News

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Why UC Grad Students Are Going Out on Strike

The job action starting today at UC Santa Cruz isn’t about pay, but instead is in response to how UC deployed police to clear pro-Palestinian encampments on campuses.

(05/19/2024) → CalMatters

These California Schools Connect Kids to Community Services. Will They Survive Budget Cuts?

Gov. Gavin Newsom launched the community school initiative with $4.1 billion in grants to connect students and their families to medical care, counseling and other services.

(05/16/2024) → CalMatters

Should California Doctors Report Domestic Abuse to Police? Here’s How Physician Lawmakers Voted

Pending legislation would lift requirements for California’s doctors to report all domestic abuse cases to police. The Assembly’s three physicians had different opinions.

(05/16/2024) → CalMatters

California’s Lagging Economy Hinders Efforts to Close State Budget Deficit

As Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators spend the next few weeks fashioning a state budget that’s plagued by a multibillion-dollar deficit, they can’t count on a booming economy to make their task easier.

(05/16/2024) → CalMatters

California’s Staggering Budget Deficit Squashes Hundreds of Bills

The state’s multibillion-dollar shortfall shapes which spending bills survived the ‘suspense file’ hearings by the Assembly and Senate appropriations committees.

(05/16/2024) → CalMatters

$20 Billion: The Delta Tunnel’s New Price Tag

The centerpiece of California’s water wars pits Gov. Newsom against local communities and environmentalists. A new report says the benefits of the tunnel exceed the cost since other water supplies would cost more.

(05/16/2024) → CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (05/17/2024)

Reser's Fine Foods Announces Voluntary Recall of Single Batch of Aldi Macaroni 32 oz Salad with Use By Date of Jun/03/24 Due to Unlabeled Wheat Allergen

Reser's Fine Foods is voluntarily recalling a single item with a specific use by date, produced at a regional facility and distributed to ALDI. The product is the Aldi Deli Macaroni Salad 32 oz, with a Use By Date of Jun/03/24 due to an incorrect label. The incorrect label does not include an all
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/17/2024)

United Supermarkets Advises Guests in New Mexico and Texas of Palmer Candy's Voluntary Recall of White Coated Confectionary Items Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

United Supermarkets is advising guests about a recall by its supplier Palmer Candy of its white coated confectionary items due to possible Salmonella contamination. Palmer Candy was notified by its liquid coating supplier that there was a potential for contamination with Salmonella from an ingredie
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/17/2024)

Irvington Seafood Recalls "Crabmeat: Jumbo, Lump, Finger, and Claw Meat" Because of Possible Health Risk

Irvington Seafood of Irvington, AL, is recalling its 1 lb. packages of "Crabmeat: Jumbo, Lump, Finger, and Claw meat" because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (05/17/2024)

As summer approaches, City prepared to open weather-respite centers

As summer approaches and the temperatures rise, the City is prepared to open weather-respite centers during extreme heat. Following its use as a respite location during winter storms, the Citys Outreach and Engagement Center (3615 Auburn Blvd.) will serve as a place where people can cool down during heat waves. City community centers also can [...] The post As summer …
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/16/2024)

Mars Petcare US, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls 315 Bags of PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food, 44 lb. Bag Size

Mars Petcare US is voluntarily recalling 315 bags of PEDIGREE Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food in the 44 lb. bag size only, due to the potential presence of loose metal pieces in the bag. The affected products have a Best By Date of March 4, 2025 and Lot Code 4
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/16/2024)

Update to Palmer Candy Company Recall of White Confectionary Products Because of Possible Health Risk

The recalled confectionary items were distributed nationwide in Walmart, HyVee, Target, Dollar General, and to distributors in Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wy
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (05/16/2024)

City Council approves plan to transition existing buildings to electricity by 2045

The Sacramento City Council last Tuesday adopted a strategy to guide the transition of existing buildings to carbon-free electricity by 2045. The approved Existing Building Electrification Strategy does not impose requirements but instead sets policy direction for future ordinance development. City staff plan to develop ordinances to implement the strategy over the next two years, [...] The post City Council …
Image of City of Citrus Heights seal. City of Citrus Heights   (05/16/2024)

May is Bike and Ped Safety Month

Share the Road and Look Out for One Another During Bicycle Safety Month
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (05/16/2024)

Oak Park families and seniors receive home-repair support from ‘Rock the Block’ program

Several Oak Park homeowners recently received home repairs through the "Rock the Block" initiative, a community investment program funded in part by the City and led by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento. The City of Sacramento helped fund the program to support low-income families and seniors in communities near the UC Davis Aggie Square [...] The post Oak Park …
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/16/2024)

Sun Noodle Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in S&S Frozen Cup Saimin

Sun Noodle is recalling approximately 37,158 cases of S&S CUP SAIMIN manufactured from May 9, 2023 - May 8, 2024, because they may contain undeclared egg white powder. Any product produced prior to May 9th, 2023 should have already been discarded due to expiration dates. People who have an allergy o