In this paper I introduce the concept of the “zoning buffer” — the gap between the existing housing stock and the maximum number of homes allowed by current zoning — and describe how it affects land values and ultimately the production and affordability of housing.
This brief studies the relationship between transit ridership and the housing development process. Even if new multifamily housing is allowed on a site, a complicated, lengthy or unpredictable process could still discourage its production and thus, transit ridership.
This background paper is meant to help the California State Auditor and legislators better understand the limitations of the RHNA process and areas for improvement.
Since 1990, California allows developers of affordable housing projects to bypass zoning codes and general plans of cities out of compliance with the Housing Element Law. Why aren't there more builder's remedy projects?
This report provides detailed analysis on where California's housing has been, where it’s at and where it’s headed when it comes to possible scenarios and policy alternatives for the future.
This paper analyzes Measure ULA, a City of Los Angeles ballot measure which would reform transfer taxes to raise money for affordable housing/homelessness prevention.
Local governments sometimes approve multifamily housing through a discretionary process, meaning a public body must vote to entitle the proposal before it can seek a building permit. By-right entitlement, in contrast, allows developers to apply directly for a building permit. We tested the hypothesis that by-right approvals are faster. Faster approval can make multifamily development more feasible, which can in turn improve housing affordability.
Measure ULA is a November 2022 ballot initiative that would increase taxes on the sale of properties valued $5 million or above in Los Angeles, but there is concern it may depress new housing production. We develop a model for identifying projects that may be most at risk of not being built because of the increased tax.
We propose and evaluate a fair housing land use score (FHLUS) that measures whether local governments’ land use policies promote inclusion across neighborhoods.
Researchers propose and evaluate a new metric to measure whether or not local land use policies promote inclusion across neighborhoods.
