Commentary California housing always is in crisis; the COVID-19 pandemic changed the nature of the situation with rent moratoriums and lockdowns. A year ago, legislators alternated Zoom meetings with masked in-person meetings in the Capitol. This year, they will return from recess on Aug. 16 likely to masked meetings. The main housing bills being worked on are Senate Bill 9, by Senate Majority Leader Toni Atkins (D-San Diego); and Senate Bill 10, by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). SB 9, in the Assembly analysis, “Requires local agencies to ministerially approve a proposed housing development project containing two residential units on parcels zoned for single-family residential development.” Ministerial approval means it “does not require the exercise of judgement or deliberation by the approval authority.” There are restrictions, mainly that it applies only in urban areas. SB 10, in the Assembly analysis, “Authorizes a city or county to pass an ordinance … …