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Housing Demolition and Redevelopment in Los Angeles

In a new report, Lewis Center authors examine whether new development in Los Angeles is resulting in the widespread loss, through demolition, of older, more affordable housing units. Among the report’s findings, from 2013–2019, nearly two-thirds of residential building permits were not linked to any residential demolitions at all. Further, demolition is strongly associated with single-family homes, and most demolitions are of single-unit developments. Overall, these and the report’s other results suggest that the largest threat to affordability in Los Angeles is less the physical loss of units, and more the rising price of the units we have — and this rising price is a product of the city’s lack of new supply.

Economic relief to individuals is playing a major role during the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanded unemployment payments and sporadic federal relief checks provided cash to people struggling to make rent and buy food. These pandemic-related cash supports are drawing attention to the role that guaranteed income programs can play in helping individuals get out of poverty. As Los Angeles considers the largest guaranteed income pilot program, what can city officials learn from other successful ventures? The May 7 InterActions LA event will bring together the latest thinking and action on guaranteed income.

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In Memoriam: Martin Wachs

On April 12, we lost a dear friend and colleague. Marty Wachs was a preeminent figure in transportation planning with an academic career spanning seven decades. He is remembered for his teaching, service, and drive to advance the field. He was a consummate professional, willing to lend his expertise whenever needed, even well into retirement. He will be perhaps best remembered as the caring and generous mentor to many hundreds of planners, engineers, and scholars around the globe.
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According to the annual Quality of Life Index survey, Los Angeles County residents have been deeply affected by the pandemic, with significant numbers citing adverse impacts on their finances, health and children’s education. Forty percent said their income went down because of the pandemic, and 18% said they lost their job at some point during the COVID-19 crisis. Further, 76% of parents with school-aged children said their kids had been “substantially hurt, either academically or socially” by virtual learning. The results were based on a survey conducted of 1,434 county residents over a 20-day period beginning on March 3.

Experts, scholars and activists convened to discuss successful housing strategies — and their potential application in the LA region — at the Luskin Summit webinar “Homes for All: Building Coalitions for Equitable Planning in Los Angeles County.” Culver City Vice Mayor Daniel Lee delivered the keynote address at the April 9 event, co-sponsored by the Lewis Center and Ziman Center for Real Estate. Lee suggested that social housing is the key to addressing homelessness and the affordable housing crisis.

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