In this Viewpoints, the authors write how R1 zoning in the United States promotes exclusion and exacerbates inequality, benefiting homeowners at the expense of renters and limiting access to high-opportunity places. They argue that these negative impacts outweigh weak arguments for R1 and that planners should work to abolish it.
California’s worsening housing crisis has triggered an intense debate about rent control. This brief examines how local jurisdictions have considerable leeway in reforming their rent control programs, such as Los Angeles’ rent-stabilization ordinance.
This article responds to other commentaries and responses to It’s "Time to End Single-Family Zoning."
Local governments face new rules as they begin updating their local Housing Elements for the 2021-29/2022-30 planning period. This brief proposes a new way for cities to approach the sites inventory to meet their housing targets, moving beyond simply identifying vacant and underutilized parcels.
This summary brief is a preview of a full-length version that includes details about who builds each affordable housing category, who pays, how rents are set and can change over time, and many other policy considerations.
While LA has recently made great strides increasing its production of affordable homes, the gains to new housing are partially offset by the loss of older affordable units.
In recent years, vacant homes have increasingly been identified as a potential indicator of speculation or otherwise underutilized housing stock. Recently constructed market-rate and mixed-income housing, in particular, has been cast as villain in this debate, with relatively high vacancy rates taken as a sign that this type of housing isn’t needed. Using Los Angeles as a case study, this working paper explores the nature, extent, and causes of housing vacancy, and draws conclusions about what should be done about vacant homes in high-cost locations like L.A.
The San Francisco Bay Area's housing target fails to account for the fact that the region leads the nation in super-commuters, many of whom work in the Bay Area but have been driven to live outside of it.
Reforms to the real estate transfer tax, which is assessed when properties are sold or otherwise change ownership, are an effective and equitable solution to immediate budget needs, while also supporting important long-term priorities including affordable housing and tenant assistance.
An estimate of the market-feasible production if the state were to allow fourplexes on single-family parcels and analysis of how these impacts vary across regions and cities.
