Can't Democrats make non-trivial changes at the state level? US states are very powerful. California's housing problems aren't a matter for the US Congress. Democrats hold a trifecta and legislative supermajority there.
Unfortunately, NIMBYism is popular in both parties on the local level. But note that California Democrats did take action to force permitting of more dense housing on the state level.
Also, on the state level, Democrat led states have higher minimum wages, stronger labor protections, parental leave and paid leave in general, expanded Medicaid, and other policies that raise the floor in general.
