California's new "friend compound" laws, effective January 1, 2024, significantly ease restrictions on building multiple housing units on a single-family lot. Senate Bills 9 and 10 streamline the process for splitting lots and building duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes, respectively, while maintaining local control over design standards. These laws aim to increase housing density and affordability by overcoming outdated zoning regulations, though their effectiveness remains to be seen due to potential loopholes and local implementation challenges. They represent a notable step towards addressing California's housing crisis.
The original poster (OP) has successfully addressed their mental health challenges after a period of homelessness and is now seeking advice on rebuilding their life. They are currently staying in transitional housing, which offers limited support, and are feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of finding stable housing and employment. Specifically, they are struggling with anxiety around the rental application process and the fear of returning to homelessness. While proud of the progress made on their mental health journey, the OP feels uncertain about the next steps and is requesting guidance from the Hacker News community on practical strategies for securing housing and income.
The Hacker News comments offer a mix of practical advice and empathetic support. Several commenters stressed the importance of leveraging government and charitable resources for housing, food, and job assistance, specifically mentioning shelters, food banks, and social workers. Others recommended focusing on securing stable income, even if through temporary or gig work, as a foundation for getting off the streets. Multiple users advised against relying on family if the situation was abusive, prioritizing safety and mental well-being above all. Some suggested exploring vocational training or community college programs to improve job prospects. A few commenters shared personal experiences of overcoming homelessness, offering encouragement and highlighting the importance of perseverance. The overall tone was supportive and helpful, focusing on actionable steps the original poster could take.
The "Housing Theory of Everything" argues that restrictive housing policies in prosperous cities have cascading negative effects across society. By artificially limiting housing supply through zoning and other regulations, these cities drive up housing costs, exacerbating inequality and hindering economic growth. This impacts everything from family formation and geographic mobility to innovation and political polarization. High housing costs force people to live further from job centers, increasing commute times and contributing to climate change. The theory posits that reforming housing policy to allow for significantly more density would unlock a range of societal benefits, fostering greater dynamism, affordability, and opportunity.
Hacker News users generally agreed with the premise of the linked article, that housing shortages significantly impact various societal issues. Several commenters shared personal anecdotes about the difficulties of finding affordable housing and its cascading effects on their lives. Some discussed the complexities of zoning laws and NIMBYism, highlighting how they perpetuate the housing crisis. Others pointed out the article's US-centric focus and how housing shortages manifest differently in other countries. The discussion also touched upon potential solutions, including increasing density, reforming zoning regulations, and exploring alternative housing models. A few commenters questioned the article's broad claims, arguing that while housing is a critical factor, it doesn't explain "everything." The most compelling comments offered personal experiences illustrating the real-world consequences of the housing crisis and thoughtful critiques of current housing policies.
Blake Morrison's "No Way Home" reflects on the complexities of returning to his childhood home in Yorkshire. He grapples with the disconnect between the idyllic memories of his youth and the reality of the present, observing how both the physical landscape and the social fabric of the place have irrevocably changed. The essay explores themes of nostalgia, the passage of time, and the elusive nature of belonging, as Morrison confronts the realization that the home he remembers no longer exists, replaced by something both familiar and foreign. He ultimately finds a measure of peace not in reclaiming a lost past, but in accepting the inevitable transformations that time brings.
The Hacker News post titled "No Way Home" linking to a Literary Review article of the same name has generated a moderate number of comments, exploring different facets of the article's critique of contemporary literature.
Several commenters agree with the article's premise that much of modern literature, especially that lauded by prestigious awards, is overly focused on trauma and identity politics. One commenter succinctly states that prize-winning novels these days all seem to revolve around the same basic themes. Another elaborates on this, lamenting the apparent lack of exploration beyond a narrow scope of human experience, suggesting it leads to repetitive and predictable narratives. This sentiment is echoed by another commenter who observes a perceived trend of equating suffering with literary merit, expressing a desire for more diverse themes and artistic exploration in literature.
Others push back against the article's arguments. One commenter suggests that the author of the Literary Review piece mischaracterizes the books they criticize, claiming their trauma is incidental to the larger narrative, not its central focus. This commenter provides specific examples from the discussed books to support this claim. Another commenter criticizes the Literary Review article for what they perceive as a simplistic, reactionary, and even "boomer-ish" take. They argue that focusing on trauma is not inherently bad and that literature has always explored difficult themes. This line of reasoning is supported by another comment highlighting how classical literature also deals with challenging subjects, referencing specific historical works to illustrate this point. Furthermore, one commenter takes issue with the article's focus on prize-winning novels, arguing that using these as a representative sample of contemporary literature is misleading and creates a skewed perspective.
A few commenters take a more neutral stance, offering alternative perspectives on the issue. One suggests that the perceived focus on trauma might be a reflection of the current cultural moment, reflecting the anxieties and uncertainties of our times. Another commenter speculates that the commercial pressures of the publishing industry might play a role in the types of books that get published and promoted, suggesting that publishers might be catering to perceived market trends rather than artistic merit.
Finally, some comments veer into tangential discussions about the state of literary criticism and the evolving definition of "good" writing. One commenter expresses frustration with contemporary literary criticism, arguing that it often lacks rigor and insight. Another raises the broader question of how we define and evaluate literary value in a constantly changing cultural landscape.
In conclusion, while the comments largely echo or challenge the sentiments of the original article, they provide a nuanced and multifaceted discussion about the current state of literature, exploring various factors influencing contemporary writing and the challenges in evaluating its merits.
TheretoWhere.com lets you visualize ideal housing locations in a city based on your personalized criteria. By inputting preferences like price range, commute time, proximity to amenities (parks, groceries, etc.), and preferred neighborhood vibes, the site generates a heatmap highlighting areas that best match your needs. This allows users to quickly identify promising neighborhoods and explore potential living areas based on their individualized priorities, making the often daunting process of apartment hunting or relocation more efficient and targeted.
HN users generally found the "theretowhere" website concept interesting, but criticized its execution. Several commenters pointed out the limited and US-centric data, making it less useful for those outside major American cities. The reliance on Zillow data was also questioned, with some noting Zillow's known inaccuracies and biases. Others criticized the UI/UX, citing slow load times and a cumbersome interface. Despite the flaws, some saw potential in the idea, suggesting improvements like incorporating more data sources, expanding geographic coverage, and allowing users to adjust weighting for different preferences. A few commenters questioned the overall utility of the heatmap approach, arguing that it oversimplifies a complex decision-making process.
Summary of Comments ( 88 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43482005
Hacker News users discussed the complexities and potential downsides of California's recently enacted "Friend Compound" ADU law (AB-2221). Several commenters questioned the financial viability, pointing out that the costs associated with building multiple ADUs on a single lot could outweigh the potential rental income, especially with rising interest rates. Others raised concerns about parking, increased density impacting neighborhood character, and the potential for exploitation by developers seeking to maximize profits. The lack of clear guidelines within the law regarding utility connections and other practical considerations was also a recurring theme. Some expressed skepticism about whether the law would meaningfully address the housing crisis, suggesting it might primarily benefit wealthier homeowners. The overall sentiment seemed to be cautious optimism tempered by a healthy dose of pragmatism.
The Hacker News post titled "The long-awaited Friend Compound laws in California" discussing the Supernuclear Substack article about ADU regulations has generated a moderate amount of discussion, with a mix of perspectives on the new laws and their potential impact.
Several commenters express skepticism about the purported benefits of the new ADU laws. One commenter argues that while the laws aim to simplify the process, local jurisdictions still retain significant control, leading to continued complexity and potential roadblocks. They also point out the ongoing issue of high construction costs, which may negate any advantages gained from easier permitting. Another commenter echoes this sentiment, suggesting that the real issue is the high cost of construction, not necessarily the permitting process itself. They believe that until construction costs decrease, ADUs won't become truly widespread.
Another line of discussion revolves around the actual impact of these ADU laws. One commenter questions whether these laws will genuinely produce more "friend compounds" or simply more expensive ADUs. They raise the concern that the focus might be shifting towards larger, more luxurious ADUs rather than smaller, more affordable units intended for friends.
Some commenters offer alternative solutions to the housing crisis. One suggests exploring cooperative housing models and co-living arrangements as potentially more effective approaches. Another proposes the idea of allowing more density in existing neighborhoods by loosening restrictions on building height limits and reducing parking requirements. They believe that this could significantly increase housing availability without relying solely on ADUs.
A few commenters also touch upon the issue of community impact. One commenter expresses worry about the potential strain on existing infrastructure and public services, particularly in areas with limited resources.
Finally, a couple of commenters offer anecdotes about their personal experiences with ADUs, highlighting the challenges and complexities involved, even with the supposedly simplified regulations. One shares a story of struggling with the permitting process despite the new laws, demonstrating that the reality on the ground may differ from the intended outcome of the legislation. Another simply states they are currently living in an ADU, providing a brief personal connection to the topic.
While the discussion isn't exceptionally extensive, it provides a variety of viewpoints on the effectiveness and potential consequences of California's ADU laws, with a recurring theme of skepticism about whether these changes will truly address the underlying housing affordability challenges.