Statewide zoning reforms aren’t making much of a dent in Southern California’s housing affordability or production problems—at least not yet
June 24, 2024 by The report highlights Southern California’s severe housing affordability crisis, with over two-thirds of Los Angeles County renters spending at least 30% of their income on rent and 40% living in overcrowded or poor-quality homes. State lawmakers have passed over 100 laws since 2017 to address this issue, focusing on increasing housing supply through the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) and legalizing structures like accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and duplexes. Despite these efforts, housing prices and rents have risen faster than incomes from 2010 to 2022, exacerbating affordability issues. The report notes that single-family homes remain the most common housing type, but recent permits have shifted towards multifamily and middle-housing structures. ADUs, while beneficial, have yielded few income-restricted homes due to reliance on individual homeowners. Overall, the report suggests that while policy changes are a step in the right direction, significant improvements in housing affordability will take time.