Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed legislation to spur housing construction is a measure of the severity of California’s housing crisis. Little is more sacred to local communities than their right to decide the amount of development that works for them. By suggesting that it’s time for the state government to curtail some of these rights, Brown is taking on a huge — and highly controversial — fight.

Yet there may be no fight more important to the future of California.

Brown’s proposal would exempt from most local reviews all market-rate housing projects with at least 20 percent affordable units. Projects near mass transit would be eligible with just 10 percent affordable units.

It’s a policy change known as “as of right,” and it would be a big shift from the current policies of many Bay Area cities, including San Francisco.

It’s time.

For decades, the usual answer that communities have given to housing development is “no.”

Now we’re all paying the price — with crushing housing prices, enraging commutes, homelessness and dampened economic growth.

The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office not only says it’s time — but it also says the Legislature needs to go even further.

“These proposed changes have the potential to be an important first step toward addressing California’s housing shortage,” reads a report the analyst’s office released Tuesday.

“We believe the governor’s proposal warrants serious consideration from the Legislature. We also suggest the Legislature ... strengthen and expand the Governor’s proposal.”

The Legislative Analyst’s Office suggests expanding the number of housing projects eligible for streamlining by aligning requirements with the state’s density bonus law — which offers incentives to developers who set aside 10 percent of their housing for low-income households.

Even at 20 percent, developers in San Francisco believe the governor’s proposal could make a big difference.

“There are potentially tens of thousands of units in areas zoned for high-density housing that could be within the governor’s proposal,” said Oz Erickson, chairman of the Emerald Fund, a real estate development firm.

“The major challenge with housing in San Francisco is that it’s so difficult to get it approved and built,” Erickson said. “If you have a categorical right to build it, it makes the process less risky, less stressful, and a lot more attractive. It’s a very good way to get more housing.”

Brown should expect plenty of opposition.

Over the years, the Legislature has passed plenty of laws to spur local housing growth. Much of the time, communities have fought right back.

Since communities have broad authority to set planning and zoning rules, they’ve used everything from growth limits to moratoriums to avoid state and even regional provisions.

Not every community is likely to fight. In Fresno, Mayor Ashley Swearengin has adopted policies similar to the ones Brown is suggesting — and she says they’re working. (Swearengin has made Fresno’s housing growth blueprint one of her top priorities., and she says it has been paying dividends).

But not every city is likely to be so willing to try new things.

Without even more state action, there’s a very real danger that Brown’s smart new proposal will be swiftly undermined in the communities that are most in need of housing.

The legislative analyst suggests that the Legislature also consider ways to preempt local governments before they can block Brown’s streamlining proposal. We urge the Legislature to strongly consider Brown’s ideas — and ways to make them work.