Ben Metcalf
@BenTMetcalf
Followers
3K
Following
307
Media
60
Statuses
1K
Managing director @ternerhousing, CEO @ternerlabs, asssociate research professor @ced_berkeley .... and alum of @california_HCD & @hudgov & @BRIDGEhousing.
oakland, ca
Joined March 2016
In a high-cost crisis where supply is low and housing feasibility is challenged, enabling greater code consistency can be an important lever.
ternercenter.berkeley.edu
California’s housing crisis has precipitated substantial zoning and land use reforms, as well as funding investments. However, one of the most technical and least-examined components of the housing...
1
0
2
Strengthening California’s code interpretation & appeals process—through a centralized state review option, published guidance, & integration with Housing Element “constraints”—could bring building code administration in line with the state’s broader housing goals.
1
0
3
Other state code regimes—like the Fire Marshal’s Code Interpretations Committee & the Historical Building Safety Board—offer potential models: more transparent processes, publicly posted decisions, & multilevel review. They suggest a clearer, more consistent approach is possible.
1
0
1
Yet when local interpretations are costly/incorrect, builders or other parties have a limited path to appeal. Many jurisdictions lack functioning appeals boards & state-level clarification often requires cooperation from the same local official whose decision is being contested.
1
0
0
Across hundreds of CA jurisdictions, basic code concepts—like floor area, occupant load, or what counts as “substantial improvement”—can vary dramatically. These differences aren’t just technical; they determine whether adaptive reuse, mixed-use, or multifamily projects pencil.
1
0
0
This past summer, California froze most local building code amendments but legislators did not address how the local code system could be better aligned w/ the State’s housing production goals. A new Terner commentary reviews CA's local code adoption/implementation system...
1
0
3
A new Terner Center analysis looks at a key, but overlooked housing lever that plays a significant role in shaping what gets built, how quickly, and at what cost in CA: how the local building code gets interpreted and amended. https://t.co/oip0q8MPBe
0
3
5
Rapid Rehousing programs providing time-limited rental subsidies & case management have emerged as an intervention that can help end homelessness. New research highlights benefits & limits, including what happens when families face the end of assistance.
ternercenter.berkeley.edu
Authors: Tessa Nápoles, Postdoctoral Researcher, Terner Center Christina Economy, Research Associate, Terner Center Carolina Reid, Faculty Research Advisor, Terner Center Rapid Rehousing (RRH)...
0
2
1
Impressive to see this level of state housing policy reform for parcels near transit. Recall that this upzoning is stacking on recent CEQA streamlining, state density bonus law mods, SB 330 process reforms, & housing accountability act enforcement.
calmatters.org
After weeks of waiting, California’s governor signed a bill that will allow mid-rise apartment buildings near major transit stops in California’s biggest metro areas.
1
1
4
A new @TernerHousing analysis of the City of San Diego’s reforms to planning policies and permitting processes offers lessons for local governments on how to expedite housing projects and increase housing production.
ternercenter.berkeley.edu
Author: William Fulton, Terner Center Fellow Co-authors: Sarah Karlinsky, Director of Research and Policy; Quinn Underriner, Senior Data Scientist Over the past few years, as the State of California...
0
0
3
The Housing Choice Voucher program, the largest form of federal rental assistance, serves 2.3 million families. Join us for a webinar Oct 7 at 11am PT on how Public Housing Agencies use vouchers effectively, despite tight markets & resource constraints. https://t.co/UUNMbYjlCT
0
1
2
Budget constraints, rigid rules & skyrocketing rents make it hard for Public Housing Authorities to fully utilize Housing Choice Vouchers that help 2.3 million families rent each year. Research with @RANDCorporation & @Cooper_Housing offers solutions. https://t.co/KXfoLPdra9
0
3
5
CalAIM offers a unique chance to access CA's Medicaid funding for permanent supportive housing to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. A new case study of @JamboreeHousing offers insights on integrating housing & health care services. https://t.co/zRxPHcWF3e
1
1
1
Fascinating piece from @Arthurgailes @AEI rating @TernerHousing top of 26 research think tanks on criteria incl. objectivity and quality. AEI implies this reflects AI bias toward "center left" institutions... but maybe certain institutions just really good work? Hmm...
A fun paper on AI bias @AEI : AI models think that right-leaning think tanks are less moral, less objective, and produce lower-quality research than left leaning think tanks. We tested all the popular models, including @grok, and found the same pattern. 1/4
1
0
2
Governor Gavin Newsom's partial repeal of the 70-year-old CEQA rules with regards to housing should spur new development that might finally give Californians a chance at more housing. I discussed on @USATODAY's The Excerpt.
1
0
1
Join us! "Housing Supply & Finance: Catalyzing Community Investment & Policy Reform" Webinar | Aug 20, 2pm PT https://t.co/py9SIojgrH Experts will discuss current challenges in making projects pencil and how policy reforms are changing their approaches to project financing.
0
1
2
A new study by @BenTMetcalf & researchers at Forsyth Street Advisors shows that LA’s new affordable housing agency, LACAHSA, can leverage public funding with private capital to mobilize billions of dollars to finance affordable housing in LA County. (1/2) https://t.co/xE5QepgnQX
0
1
1
From green icon to housing villain: The fall of California’s landmark environmental law https://t.co/eTY3siumQH via @politico
politico.com
Democrats pared back one of the state's preeminent policies to restore trust with voters frustrated by the high cost of living.
0
0
1
Timely commentary digging in on how the Section 8 housing choice voucher program is actually working in counties across america, particularly useful reference point as the House and Senate appropriations committees take up HUD funding for FY 26 --->
Across the US, 2.4 million households use Housing Choice Vouchers to afford rent. Our new analysis and interactive maps offer state- and county-level data on people the program serves and rent-to-income ratios for voucher households. https://t.co/gvPqw5k1dP
0
0
0
A decade-spanning political battle between housing developers and defenders of CA's preeminent environmental law likely came to an end this afternoon with only a smattering of “no” votes. The forces of housing won. https://t.co/EqSKfjyx9A 📝 @FromBenC 📸 @semanthanorris
2
16
22