Miles Cressy

Miles Cressy is a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) student and teaching assistant at UCLA, as well as an intern for the Development Services Department at the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA). At UCLA, Miles concentrates on the intersection of regional economic development and housing. Applying his proficiency in data and geospatial analysis, he engages in impactful research projects that delve into the dynamics of where people both live and work, examining how this relationship shapes cities and communities. At HACLA, he assists in the development, redevelopment and acquisition of public and affordable housing across the city. Miles is a Merritt Scholar, and has received funding, mentorship and education as it relates to the affordable housing sector. In addition, Miles has an educational and professional background in landscape architecture and construction management, demonstrating extensive knowledge and expertise in the design of the built environment. 

Project Overview

In 2019, the City of Los Angeles introduced the accessory dwelling units (ADU) ordinance (No. 186481) to streamline the ADU development process and promote increased housing production within the city. Before the ordinance, homeowners had the option to construct ADUs, but the regulatory framework and review procedures imposed significant time and stringent requirements. The Office of Councilmember Bob Blumenfield (District 3) seeks to explore the impact of this ordinance on its represented district. Spanning the neighborhoods of Reseda, Tarzana, Winnetka, Canoga Park, and Woodland Hills, District 3 is characterized by a prevalence of single-family homes and large lots, making it an ideal location for evaluating the impact of the ordinance.

The main goal of this client project is to address and shed light on overarching questions related to housing affordability and demographic changes within the district resulting from the ordinance. To achieve this goal, the project also seeks to offer insights into those taking advantage of this new ordinance. This includes perspectives from both ADU suppliers and consumers, at both the individual and neighborhood levels. Additionally, this project aims to document the quantity, location, uses and variety of ADUs constructed since the implementation of the ordinance.

In addition to these central inquiries related to affordability and demographic changes, the councilmember’s office is eager to receive policy recommendations related to ADU development within the district, as well as exploring ways to improve access to ADUs for low-income, unhoused, or other at-risk individuals.

Why is this topic, specifically, important to you?

Housing transcends mere shelter; it forms the bedrock of essential elements in a person’s life. Los Angeles currently grapples with a housing crisis that imperils this fundamental foundation. Tackling this challenge demands a multifaceted strategy, and one promising avenue for alleviating the scarcity of affordable housing within the city is the expansion of ADU development.

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

The project’s primary partner is the Office of Councilmember Blumenfield (District 3). I will be working to discuss strategy, goals, data collection and analyses, and schedule meetings with city departments, and connect to both residents and community councils alike. At the project’s conclusion, I will generate a set of policy recommendations in regard to ADU expansion in District 3 while paying special attention to both community interests and the office’s short- and long-term goals. 

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

The communities in District 3 are precisely the type where affordable housing can yield the most substantial benefits. Such neighborhoods often present a significant impediment to the growth of affordable housing, encountering considerable resistance and reluctance toward increased density. I envision that by comprehending the impact of this ordinance on the local landscape and identifying ways to incentivize affordable housing within it, this project could emerge as a valuable blueprint for guiding development in diverse regions across the city and state.