ADUs, Charlie Kirk & Gavin Newsom

Earlier this year, in a podcast titled, "And, This is Charlie Kirk/This is Gavin Newsom" there was a subtle, yet significant moment at approximately one hour and six minutes into the unedited discussion. Here were two men, at opposite ends of the political spectrum, conversing on various topics such as today's youth, education, political differences, gender equality, marriage equality, Kamala, Trump, Charlie's rise in popularity, blah, blah, blah (click on the video link below).

Then the topic of 'homelessness' came up and 'housing affordability.' Kirk argued that, "the quality of life is huge", and, that, "the number one thing" threatening quality of life in California, and, across the country is the high cost of housing, and, pointing to how large private equity firms and companies like Black Rock own nearly 25% of all available housing inventory. Kirk went as far as to suggest that Newsom should introduce legislation to reverse this trend so that college grads and first-time homebuyers are not competing with these large companies and asset managers.

Newsom put his own label on housing affordability calling it California's "original sin", and, saying that it has more of "an impact on homelessness than any other issue because of the cost of living." However, as Newsom pointed out, the "biggest challenge" to housing reform in California, aside from high interest rates, is "Nimbyism" (or, the "Not In My Back Yard" ism). Kirk quickly responded, "Nimbyism is a disaster, we agree on that." And there it was... Hope. Two political adversaries agreeing on a key issue facing us all today, and, doing it civilly and respectfully. Hope. Two political adversaries agreeing that it's better to be a YIMBY and not a NIMBY. To me, that's Hope for us all. Wanna build an ADU?

Click the video below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: https://vimeo.com/1131503591.