The statewide housing crunch is raising prices and putting lower income groups into deeper financial straits as they attempt to keep up with housing costs, reports the Bay Area News Group in its coverage of a pivotal new state report. "California's High Housing Costs: Causes and Consequences," released March 17, 2015, by the state Legislative Analyst's Office, examines the housing shortage and says the state needs to revamp policies and allow for the construction of 100,000 additional units per year. Among the reasons for the housing deficit, LAO analysts cite California’s development fees--almost four times higher than the average fees elsewhere in the country--and local community resistance to housing. Click here to read the LAO report’s executive summary. Click here to download the full report.