Oakland home prices are falling in 2026, but buyers are still facing competition in some of the East Bay’s most desirable neighborhoods. Zillow Home Values Index data showed Oakland’s average home value at $716,248 as of Monday, March 31, 2026. After inflation, that marked an 11.4% decline from 2025 and a 28.1% drop from 2019 levels. Why Oakland’s Housing Market Is Sending Mixed Signals Oakland was tied with Cape Coral, Florida, for the s

A once-thriving retail hub in Santa Clara, California, is rapidly emptying as redevelopment plans move forward, prompting legal action from displaced business owners who allege unfair treatment by the property’s former landlord. Two tenants from the Homestead Shopping Center — Tous les Jours bakery and Fuheng Herbs — have filed separate lawsuits against former property owner David Bider and Cypress Investments, claiming they were misled and pressured into leaving prior to the si

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is set to use his final State of the State address on Thursday to portray the state as a governing model for the nation, drawing a sharp contrast with what he describes as instability and dysfunction at the federal level under President Donald Trump. The Democratic governor plans to argue that California’s policy direction and values stand in opposition to those coming from Washington, positioning the state as both a counterweight and an alternative to the curre

The Cupertino City Council voted unanimously to appoint Tina Kapoor as the city’s next city manager, formally removing the word “interim” from her title and signaling a shift toward stability after years of leadership turnover. The decision places Kapoor at the head of the municipal administration during a period of ongoing debate over housing, development, and long-term economic planning in the Bay Area. Her appointment follows a series of frequent leadership changes that have shaped t

The San Jose metropolitan area has topped a national ranking — but for reasons that signal growing trouble for California’s housing market. According to a recent HomeAbroad report analyzing U.S. Census Bureau data, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara region recorded the steepest drop in residential construction permits among the country’s 100 largest metro areas, with a staggering 68% decline over five years. In July 2020, the region issued 1,949 building permits. By July 2025,

A plan to build one of Cupertino’s first 100 percent affordable housing projects, designed to support some of the community’s most vulnerable residents, has stirred opposition from neighbors concerned about safety and parking. The proposed project, located along Mary Avenue, aims to create 40 affordable homes on a 0.79-acre site. Out of these, 19 homes would be reserved for adults and families with children who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, while 20 u

As the nation continues to grapple with cuts to social safety nets, a new provision in the congressional budget bill has provided a significant boost to affordable housing efforts. The recently passed H.R. 1 includes an increase in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, which has long served as the primary federal tool for financing affordable housing projects. Starting next year, states will be able to permanently expand their tax credit allocations by 12 percent, giving developers new o

As California cities increasingly pass laws banning homeless encampments and intensify sweeps, a group of state lawmakers from the San Jose area is moving in the opposite direction. They are backing legislation aimed at protecting homeless individuals and the people who help them from criminal penalties. Senate Bill 643, co-authored by State Senator Sasha Perez and Assemblymembers Ash Kalra, Alex Lee, and Matt Haney, would prohibit cities from enacting ordinances that stop organiz

In a decisive move to expand its housing stock and reshape its urban landscape, Palo Alto has approved a 368-unit apartment complex on El Camino Real, at the former location of a long-time restaurant. This development is one of the city’s most significant recent housing projects and reflects a shifting approach toward accommodating higher-density residential buildings along major corridors. The project, located at 3150 El Camino Real and led by Acclaim Companies, symbolizes

Homeowners looking to build an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Dublin now have a golden opportunity to offset construction costs. Thanks to the Senate District 7 ADU Accelerator Program, residents can qualify for rebates of up to $15,000 to encourage small-unit construction and ease the local housing crisis. How the Rebate Works The total funding pool of

Santa Clara is advancing a comprehensive two-year plan aimed at reducing homelessness across the city by increasing shelter capacity, expanding outreach services, and supporting unsheltered residents through a range of targeted programs. The Santa Clara City Council recently reviewed a draft work plan that proposes 34 projects and initiatives aimed at addressing homelessness more effectively and sustainably. The plan includes building a new 90-bed shelter for families, piloting

In an eye-opening revelation that underscores the worsening cost-of-living crisis in California, new data shows that individuals earning over $100,000 annually in four Bay Area counties are now classified as "low income." According to a recent report from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, single residents in Marin, San Mateo, San Francisco, and Santa Clara counties fall into this category despite salaries that would be considered high in most parts of the