Lack of Housing A Threat To Business & Future Generations

by Gary Toebben

Last Friday, the Los Angeles City Council Rules Committee voted to oppose one of the best opportunities the State has to address our housing supply and affordability crisis. SB 827, authored by Senator Scott Wiener, would increase density in transit-rich areas, allowing four to eight story residential buildings in appropriate areas throughout the State. This bill would expand housing opportunities for our families, growing workforce and first-time homebuyers.

Our housing crisis places a huge burden on both businesses and employees. Workers face excruciatingly long commutes while paying an increasing higher percentage of their income on rent. Many companies are struggling to hire the people they need because of the cost of housing near their place of work.

Senator Wiener has worked with many stakeholders on this bill and unveiled a number of amendments last month to address community concerns. And he welcomes more suggestions. It is disappointing to see the City Council slam the door so early in the legislative process. The Chamber is generally supportive of maintaining local control, but complete local control is part of the reason we are in this crisis today. Often, local elected officials only hear from existing homeowners who fear a change in the status quo, and not those who need housing next to transit to reduce their daily commute.

L.A. is investing heavily in building our public transportation system and addressing our homelessness crisis. We should be doing everything in our power to increase residential opportunities in areas with public transportation options to ensure that supply is adequate to meet demand and maintain affordability.

This item is on the City Council agenda this morning. With our pro-housing partners at CA YIMBY, Abundant Housing and the Building & Industry Association, we generated more than 200 letters last week in support of SB 827. I urge you to call your Councilmember one last time this morning to express your support for housing.

Opposing this bill without more conversations with the author is step backward in combating our housing crisis here in L.A. and in our state. L.A. is at risk of losing a generation of people who grew up or were educated here and are being forced to live long-distances away and commute in, or relocate entirely. We spend a lot of time talking about L.A. as a global city that is welcoming to all. Now we need to take action to ensure that our welcome mat includes a place to call home.

And that's The Business Perspective.