I sat down with Nolan Gray to unpack one of the biggest challenges facing California today: housing. We got into how the YIMBY movement has evolved, what’s happening on the ground in 2025, and why things still feel so stuck despite all the momentum.

We talked CEQA (of course), permitting bottlenecks, and what actually needs to change to make building easier. But we also zoomed out to look at the cultural story behind California’s housing crisis, how the "California dream" has shifted, and what it’ll take to bring it back.

If you’re curious about housing policy, want to understand how we got here, or are looking for ways to get involved, this episode’s for you.

Follow Nolan's work here: https://mnolangray.substack.com/

As always, don't forget to subscribe at californiafuturesociety.com

Chapters

00:00 - Intro and The Evolution of the YIMBY Movement

07:20 - CA YIMBY as a Basketball Program and the State of the Movement

13:19 - CA YIMBY's 2025 Bills

21:07 - CEQA

26:17 - Permit Reform and Alexis Rivas

32:34 - How Can People Help?

36:52 - Where Can Californians Find Hope?

40:42 - California Wasn't Always Expensive!

50:31 - The Evolution of the California Dream

01:02:29 - Advice for Aspiring Writers in Policy

Keywords: California housing crisis, YIMBY movement, housing legislation, CEQA, housing affordability, urban planning, housing policy, California dream, housing advocacy, legislative process