In this paper I introduce the concept of the “zoning buffer” — the gap between the existing housing stock and the maximum number of homes allowed by current zoning — and describe how it affects land values and ultimately the production and affordability of housing.
Since 1990, California allows developers of affordable housing projects to bypass zoning codes and general plans of cities out of compliance with the Housing Element Law. Why aren't there more builder's remedy projects?
Measure ULA is a November 2022 ballot initiative that would increase taxes on the sale of properties valued $5 million or above in Los Angeles, but there is concern it may depress new housing production. We develop a model for identifying projects that may be most at risk of not being built because of the increased tax.
This paper analyzes Measure ULA, a City of Los Angeles ballot measure which would reform transfer taxes to raise money for affordable housing/homelessness prevention.
Local governments sometimes approve multifamily housing through a discretionary process, meaning a public body must vote to entitle the proposal before it can seek a building permit. By-right entitlement, in contrast, allows developers to apply directly for a building permit. We tested the hypothesis that by-right approvals are faster. Faster approval can make multifamily development more feasible, which can in turn improve housing affordability.
We propose and evaluate a fair housing land use score (FHLUS) that measures whether local governments’ land use policies promote inclusion across neighborhoods.
Researchers propose and evaluate a new metric to measure whether or not local land use policies promote inclusion across neighborhoods.
This report analyzes CHIP along two dimensions: added housing capacity and furtherance of fair housing goals.
This research links Measure ULA to an 18% drop in multifamily housing production in Los Angeles, estimating 1,900+ fewer units annually since its implementation.
This report responds to criticisms of two earlier UCLA Lewis Center reports. We show that these criticisms are misguided and also examine a claim that Measure ULA created 10,000 union construction jobs.
