Housing Affordability Crisis and Policy Shifts

SoCal rent cap rises to 8.7% Aug 1, with national comparisons to Oregon and Washington; Newport Beach lowers affordable housing requirement near JWA; Laguna Beach EIR for Downtown Specific Plan; state HHAP funds distributed; local control vs state mandates debated. Home prices up 5.6%, LA-OC most unaffordable market. Child food insecurity worsens, reflecting broader cost-of-living pressures.