While nearly everyone agrees there is an affordable housing shortage, state and local leaders face different political pressures that often derail ambitious proposals. "Even before the pandemic, big-box retail stores were struggling to adapt as more people began buying things online. An analysis by the investment firm UBS shows online shopping will grow to 25% of all retail sales by 2025. The analysis predicted that up to 100,000 stores across the country could close.Local governments and developers in California are already trying to redevelop some retail sites. Both proposals in the Legislature would require developers to use a "skilled and trained" workforce to build the housing.

Source: Economic Times June 01, 2021 12:36 UTC