As a shortage of affordable housing plagues California, the state’s mandates that developers pay prevailing wage on most taxpayer-subsidized low-income housing projects are a source of contentious debate.
The cost of constructing low-income housing in California now averages $332,000 per unit. In an effort to determine the causes of high price tags on these projects, in 2014 the state released a report that officially said the impact of prevailing wage couldn’t be determined.
But one of the consultants hired to do the study says that projects that paid prevailing wage were 11% more expensive to build. Labor economists were able to convince the state of enough uncertainties in the prevailing wage analysis so that the study didn’t reach a firm conclusion on the issue, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The prevailing wage requirement continues to have strong support in the state legislature. Governor Jerry Brown’s housing plan failed last year in large part because of the Building Trades’ opposition to a relaxation of prevailing wage requirements, the Times says. This year, legislators have introduced more limited versions of Brown’s proposal that include prevailing wage requirements.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 25, 2018
Low-income neighborhoods could benefit most from green roofs
Those areas face the biggest risk from extreme heat.
Codes and Standards | Oct 24, 2018
Building design critical to prevent school shootings
Safety must be balanced with welcoming environment.
Codes and Standards | Oct 23, 2018
Codes in Florida Panhandle made buildings vulnerable to Hurricane Michael
Less stringent codes in northern parts of state linked to devastation.
Codes and Standards | Oct 19, 2018
Global Green Tag production certification standard will launch in U.S. at end of year
Australian program recognized by WELL, claims compliance with LE.
Codes and Standards | Oct 18, 2018
Federally-backed rebuilding of public buildings often leaves them vulnerable to future storms
FEMA dollars pay for reconstruction, but local decision-makers ignore climate change impacts.
Codes and Standards | Oct 17, 2018
Philadelphia plumbing code will now allow for more use of plastic pipes in high rises
Of the 50 largest U.S. cities, Philadelphia is one of just six that still require metal pipes.
Codes and Standards | Oct 16, 2018
New Disaster Recovery Reform Act will support adoption of updated building codes
Provides incentives for communities to modernize and enforce codes.
Codes and Standards | Oct 12, 2018
Boston ‘housing emergency’ prompts regional initiative for new residential construction
Mayors of 15 cities set goal of 185,000 new homes by 2030.
Codes and Standards | Oct 11, 2018
On-site staff key to energy benchmarking project for property management company
Manager training, data sharing are critical to meeting 20% utility cost reduction goal.
Codes and Standards | Oct 10, 2018
Interactive heat maps track temperature ranges in U.S. cities
Urban heat island effect can vary by as much as 37°F in the same city.