L.A. City Council Gives Final Approval to Housing Rezoning Plan
Unanimous Vote Paves the Way for Increased Housing Development
The Los Angeles City Council on Friday granted final approval to a sweeping rezoning plan that aims to boost housing development along commercial corridors and existing dense residential neighborhoods.
New Ordinance Provides Incentives for Developers
In a 14-to-0 vote, council members approved the so-called Citywide Housing Incentive Program. The new ordinance will provide developers incentives to build both market rate and affordable units. It represents Los Angeles’ main strategy to meet state housing goals that require the city to find land where an additional 255,000 homes can be built.
Meeting State Deadline
The unanimous vote Friday comes as the city faced a state deadline of next week to have a housing plan in place. The new ordinance is the result of a years-long process that was entangled with questions over equity, traffic, and the layout of the city.
Incentives for Affordable Units and Public Transit
Under the Citywide Housing Incentive Program, commonly referred to as the CHIP Ordinance, developers will be able to exceed current limits on building if they include a certain percentage of affordable units in their new development and the property is near public transit. Projects that are 100% affordable will be eligible for incentives across a wider swath of the city.
Eligibility and Restrictions
In both cases, developers can generally only use the incentives if a property is in an existing multifamily neighborhood or commercial zone. Single-family zones will be left largely untouched, unless property is owned by a public agency or a faith-based organization, which accounts for just a sliver of the city’s single-family lots.
Tenant and Homeowner Concerns
Tenant groups have said focusing redevelopment in areas that already allow multifamily housing could lead to mass displacement, as developers knock down existing apartments to build newer, bigger buildings. Homeowner groups have expressed concerns over changes to their neighborhoods, including traffic and noise.
Addressing Concerns over Equity and Displacement
The Planning Department has said it tried to address concerns over equity and displacement in a few ways. It allowed developers greater incentives if their lots are in commercial strips and multifamily neighborhoods that are also near jobs and good schools. Additionally, separate tenant protection rules passed Friday give low-income residents displaced by demolition the right to move into the new development at either their prior rent or at rent deemed affordable to their income, whichever is lower.
Conclusion
The passage of the Citywide Housing Incentive Program is a significant step towards addressing the city’s housing crisis. While there are concerns about the impact on existing neighborhoods, the new ordinance aims to provide more affordable housing options for low-income residents. The city’s commitment to meeting its state housing goals is crucial for addressing the pressing issue of housing affordability in Los Angeles.
FAQs
* What is the Citywide Housing Incentive Program?
+ The Citywide Housing Incentive Program is a new ordinance that provides incentives for developers to build both market rate and affordable units in certain areas of the city.
* What are the eligibility requirements for the program?
+ Properties must be in existing multifamily neighborhoods or commercial zones, and near public transit.
* Can single-family zones be developed under the program?
+ No, single-family zones will be left largely untouched, unless property is owned by a public agency or faith-based organization.
* How will the program address concerns over equity and displacement?
+ The city has introduced measures to address these concerns, including giving low-income residents displaced by demolition the right to move into the new development at their prior rent or at rent deemed affordable to their income, whichever is lower.
