PlanningxChange 141 - Jared Jones, Californian Housing Producer

In this episode of Planning Xchange, host Jess Noonan and guest Jared Jones, founder of Middle Housing Partners, explore the transformative potential of micro-infill housing in established neighborhoods, particularly in California. Jones, a seasoned real estate developer with over 15 years of experience, shares how his work focuses on small-scale, incremental developments like accessory dwelling units (ADUs), triplexes, and small multi-unit buildings that leverage existing infrastructure without requiring lengthy entitlement processes. He highlights how California’s housing crisis—where nearly one in five property transfers occur through inheritance—has made homeownership nearly impossible for average earners, effectively killing the American dream in the state. The conversation delves into how planning systems, driven by fear of neighborhood opposition and legal liability, have created systemic delays and excessive fees that stifle development. Jones argues that the real issue isn’t opposition to change, but a misaligned system that prioritizes protecting the status quo over building community and affordability. The episode also examines how California’s state-level reforms—such as removing neighborhood veto power for certain infill projects—have unlocked massive growth in small-scale housing, with ADUs alone accounting for 30% of new units in recent years. Jones emphasizes that these projects are not only financially viable but deeply desired by younger generations and aging parents seeking proximity. He advocates for a future where development is driven by objective standards and predictable timelines, not bureaucratic delays. The discussion concludes with a powerful vision: reimagining suburban neighborhoods not as static enclaves, but as dynamic, inclusive communities where people can live, work, and belong—echoing the idealized 'Leave It to Beaver' lifestyle, but rooted in reality and equity.