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.
This review and cover letter was written to provide background and suggestions for Auditors Tilden and Lozano to consider in relation to the audit commissioned by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee at the request of Members Glazer, Newman, Bauer-Kahan, Portantino, Muratsuchi, Stern, and Bates.
In this report, we analyze local plans and housing development rates in nearly 100 cities in the San Francisco Bay Area. We assess production on sites presented by cities to the state government as apt for housing, as well as elsewhere in the city.
Should cities only allow new housing on the condition that the developers of that housing deliver public benefits in return? This idea is often called “value capture”, and is used to justify — among other things — various forms of inclusionary zoning.
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.
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.
Researchers propose and evaluate a new metric to measure whether or not local land use policies promote inclusion across neighborhoods.
