Introduction In Golden Gates: The Housing Crisis and a Reckoning for the American Dream, Conor Dougherty delineates the intricacies of California's housing crisis, setting its epicenter—the San Francisco Bay Area. Published in 2020, Golden Gates describes the complex history and economic factors that have led to the affordable housing crisis, transforming homes from symbols of prosperity to ones of inequality. As an economics reporter for The New York Times and a former journalist for The Wall Street Journal, Conor Dougherty is able to utilize his expertise in telling a story about the economic foundation of the subject matter. Furthermore, because Dougherty grew up in the Bay Area and currently lives in Oakland, he has a personal connection …show more content…
Rick Holliday attempts to address the history of homelessness in America and the policy challenges of addressing homelessness while simultaneously subsidizing homeownership. The book delves into the role of legislation and voter-driven measures in addressing the housing crisis. For instance, Los Angeles voters passed a $1.2 billion bond measure to build supportive housing units in 2016, as well as a $4 billion affordable housing bond included in a 2017 housing package. Throughout these chapters, Dougherty sheds light on the competing interests involved in housing development, legislation, and advocacy. The book continues to explore the personal stories of individuals involved in the fight for affordable housing, capturing the key moments and ongoing efforts to tackle the housing crisis in California. Evaluation Golden Gates focuses on the Californian housing crisis and its wider implications for American society. The book explores the economic forces at play, revealing how housing affordability has become a symbol of the growing divide between the haves and the