Housing Forum

The Regional Housing Forum

Under the leadership of President and CEO Lacy Schoen, the Brea Chamber of Commerce convened the Regional Housing Forum to inform and equip its members, the broader business community, and local residents with essential facts about regional planning and housing development critical to a strong and sustainable future.

As California and Orange County confront a historic housing crisis, the timing of this Forum could not be more urgent. Residents of all ages are leaving the state in search of more attainable living options. Employers struggle to attract and retain talent as workers endure daily commutes of two to three hours because housing near job centers is simply out of reach. Many lower-wage workers and their families are forced to double or triple up in small homes, while far too many individuals experience homelessness on our streets every day.

The causes of this crisis are complex. They include restrictive state regulations and, critically, the misuse of state housing laws by special interests and activists who stoke fear and opposition to needed housing. Too often, residents are inundated with misinformation about individual projects, housing development in general, or perceived community impacts, making thoughtful, fact-based dialogue difficult.

The reality is clear. More housing is urgently needed, across a range of sizes, styles, and price points. Adequate housing is essential not only to meet the needs of current and future residents, including those being born here today, but also to sustain a strong economy, preserve community vitality, support public safety, and ensure long-term regional prosperity.

The Forum’s expert panel brings an exceptional depth of knowledge and experience in regional planning, housing policy, and economic development. Panelists provide critical context on the drivers of the housing crisis and outline proven, practical solutions grounded in data, policy, and real-world outcomes.

Panelists include Kenneth Stahl, Professor and Director of Environmental, Land Use, and Real Estate Law at Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law; Kendra Chandler, Executive Director of the Urban Land Institute Orange County / Inland Empire; Jeffrey “Jeff” Ball, President and CEO of the Orange County Business Council; and Adam Wood, Vice President of Orange County Operations for the Building Industry Association of Southern California. The Forum is moderated by Jon Gould, Dean of the School of Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine.