By the summer of 2023, developers had proposed nearly 2,400 new apartments aimed at low- and moderate-income residents in the San Fernando Valley, a region that has seen limited affordable housing compared to the rest of Los Angeles. These projects were notable for not requiring public subsidies, a rarity in the realm of low-income housing, and were part of Mayor Karen Bass’ initiative to encourage more affordable growth in the city.
However, 18 months later, the majority of these projects have been abandoned, with no construction having commenced. After extensive debates in City Hall and legal challenges, only four of the original proposals, which represent one-third of the initial units, are now moving forward, despite opposition from Mayor Bass and many members of the City Council.
The trouble surrounding these affordable housing developments stems from their location on land typically reserved for single-family homes, a contentious issue in Los Angeles politics. Homeowners expressed concerns about increased traffic, parking issues, and potential disruptions to their communities’ character. Critics argued that developers exploited a loophole in the mayor’s initiative to place apartments in areas that were not intended for such use. In contrast, other affordable housing projects in the Valley, situated in areas where multifamily developments are allowed, have progressed with less resistance.
City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield remarked on the disproportionate impact of these developments on local neighborhoods, suggesting that the situation arose not from a well-thought-out design but from opportunism. Supporters of the projects, however, claim that the pushback raises questions about the city’s commitment to addressing its affordable housing crisis.
Councilmember Nithya Raman, who chairs the housing and homelessness committee, criticized the prevailing culture in Los Angeles, where halting projects is often seen as a political advantage. She emphasized the need for a shift towards a more affirmative stance on housing to secure the city’s future.
Upon taking office in December 2022, Mayor Bass issued Executive Directive 1 to streamline the approval process for 100% affordable housing developments, eliminating various zoning hearings and environmental reviews. The directive garnered support, leading to nearly 24,000 units being approved for construction. However, it did not explicitly address the eligibility of single-family home parcels. Developers later combined this directive with state laws to submit proposals for projects on single-family home sites in the Valley, prompting homeowner groups to push back.
In June 2023, in response to community outcry, Bass revised her directive to prohibit new projects on single-family home properties, leaving the fate of ten already proposed projects uncertain and igniting a year of intense political maneuvering and legal disputes.
The debates over these housing projects coincided with broader discussions about affordable housing across Los Angeles, where approximately 75% of residentially zoned land is designated for single-family homes. Advocates for social justice and housing reform have argued for integrating low-income housing into affluent neighborhoods to alleviate displacement pressures in other areas. However, homeowner organizations have vigorously opposed such proposals, fearing that large-scale developments could overwhelm their communities.
As the city grappled with these issues, the Department of Housing and Community Development urged the approval of the Valley projects, asserting that the permitting process was established when the proposals were submitted. The first project to be debated was a 200-unit development in Sherman Oaks, which ultimately received approval after Councilmember Raman argued for its advancement based on state guidelines.
Subsequent projects faced rejection from the council, with Blumenfield and others asserting that the revised directive clarified that multifamily developments should not be permitted on single-family home sites. Lawsuits ensued, with the nonprofit YIMBY Law challenging the city’s denials, while a neighborhood group filed suit over one of the approved projects.
In court, city attorneys defended their decisions by claiming the revised directive properly prohibited multifamily projects on single-family parcels, but judges ruled against them, requiring the city to approve the projects. The Sherman Oaks development recently settled, with the developer agreeing to reduce the building’s height to address community concerns.
Of the four projects now moving forward, none are situated in the heart of single-family neighborhoods, though some are still considered out of scale compared to their surroundings. These developments are seen as essential in addressing California’s housing shortage, with advocates highlighting the need for more diverse housing options to serve the community.
Despite ongoing opposition from some residents, the city continues to grapple with the challenges of balancing community character with the pressing need for affordable housing. Mayor Bass has reiterated her support for affordable housing initiatives, emphasizing the importance of increasing the city’s housing stock to meet the needs of its residents.