ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PLANS TO IMPROVE CALIFORNIA'S RANKING AS ONE OF THE LEAST AFFORDABLE PLACES TO LIVE IN THE U.S. OUR STATE IS 48 OUT OF THE 50 STATES, IN TERMS OF AFFORDABILITY. THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN (DUE OUT IN THE SPRING) IS EXPECTED TO REMOVE SOME ROADBLOCKS TO NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION. ONLY 59 PERCENT OF CALIFORNIANS OWN THEIR OWN HOME, WHILE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 68 PERCENT. CLEARING THE WAY FOR BUILDERS WOULD ENCOURAGE URBAN SPRAWL ACCORDING TO ENVIRONMENTALISTS. OUR TRI-COUNTY AREA HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY BEHIND IN STATE MANDATED HOUSING LEVELS. IN 2002 THE LITTLE HOOVER COMMISSION REPORTED TO GOVERNOR DAVIS AND THE LEGISLATURE, THAT THE HOUSING SHORTAGE IS SO SEVERE, IT THREATENS TO MUTE THE STATE'S ECONOMIC POTENTIAL BECAUSE OF CONSISTENT UNDER-BUILDING. THE REPORT FOUND THE PROBLEM CHRONIC AND GETTING WORSE, SAYING THE GREATEST BURDEN FALLS ON THE POOREST CALIFORNIANS.