2007 Campus-Community Partnerships

Affordability Matters: An Assessment of Efforts
to Plan for Affordable Housing in
Los Angeles County

Awardee: Jonathan Zasloff, Professor
School of Law & Anderson Ziman Center
Partner: Livable Places, Inc.

Abstract:
Affordability Matters will compile and analyze data on affordable housing construction in the various cities in Los Angeles County between 1998-2006, the last Housing Element planning period. Affordability Matters will also review the local ordinances in the various cities in Los Angeles County implementing State required laws for increasing affordable housing production, namely density bonuses and accessory dwelling units. The research will be organized into three Housing Element background reports and disseminated via e-mail and posting on the internet. In addition, three community briefings on the reports will be held in Boyle Heights, Westlake and South Los Angeles where grassroots organizations are working with residents to impact the land use plans, or New Community Plans. Affordability Matters seeks to improve the local policy making environment by increasing community member’s and policy maker’s understanding of local housing markets, needs and tools available to local governments.