Judy Saunders

Judy is a Master of Urban and Regional Planning candidate working at the intersection of urban planning, civic engagement, and social work. She has worked at organizations including Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), Communities in Schools of Los Angeles, and the City of LA Mayor’s Office of Housing & Homelessness Solutions.

Her research and practice focus on affordable housing and strategies to prevent displacement. Judy is committed to re-imagining urban communities that are affordable, healthy, and inclusive spaces for everyone.

Project Overview

My project, “Beyond Demolition: Assessing the Role of Policy and Development in the Loss of Rent-Stabilized Housing in LA,” examines the demolition of Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) units in Los Angeles and the rate at which these units are replaced by market-rate and affordable housing developments. It explores how policies that incentivize housing development like the Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) Incentive Program and Executive Directive (ED) 1 have shaped these trends, while evaluating the effectiveness of tenant protections such as the Replacement Unit Determination and the Right to Return. My research also investigates the roles of nonprofit and for-profit developers in producing replacement housing, analyzing spatial patterns,and the alignment of new developments.

By leveraging data analysis, GIS mapping, and policy evaluation, my project aims to provide insights into the broader implications of RSO demolitions for housing affordability, tenant displacement, and community stability, offering recommendations for more inclusive and sustainable urban planning strategies.

Why is this topic, specifically, important to you?

My interest in studying the demolition of Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) units and their replacement by affordable or market-rate developments is deeply rooted in my commitment to addressing California’s housing crisis. Living in Los Angeles for the past decade, I’ve witnessed the rapid rise in housing costs, a trend disproportionately impacting lower-income renters and communities of color. Through this capstone project, I hope to identify practical solutions for both tenant protections and sustainable housing affordability.

Who are the partners involved in this project and how will you be working with them?

Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing (SCANPH) is the principal client who will supervise the project, providing guidance on policy analysis and connecting me with community partners.

How do you hope that this project will impact the field moving forward?

I hope this project will advance the field by providing a deeper, data-driven understanding of the relationship between housing policy, tenant displacement, and urban development. By analyzing the intersections of RSO demolitions, development-incentivizing policies, and current tenant protections, I aim to inform strategies that promote more equitable solutions to Los Angeles’s housing crisis.

Additionally, by evaluating the implementation of tenant protection policies, I hope to provide valuable insights to city of Los Angeles departments, supporting improvements in processes and policy effectiveness. My ultimate goal is to encourage a shift toward more inclusive practices that prevent displacement, strengthen community stability, and ensure long-term housing affordability.