L.A. City Council OKs plan to introduce 'inclusionary zoning'

[flashl]

New condominium and apartment projects in Brentwood, Studio City and other affluent areas would be required to include units for very poor people.

By Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 14, 2008

New condominium and apartment projects in neighborhoods such as Brentwood, Studio City and other affluent parts of Los Angeles could be required to include units for very poor people under a plan approved by the City Council on Wednesday.

The commitment to introduce so-called inclusionary zoning -- a contentious topic in Los Angeles politics for years -- was part of a comprehensive housing plan that the city adopted to be eligible for hundreds of millions of dollars in state housing bond funds.

The plan, which is nonbinding, calls for the City Council to introduce a proposed law by the end of the year to mandate that developers build units for poor people.

Advocates for the poor hailed the vote as a significant symbolic step.

"The city is taking a huge step forward in figuring out how to address the housing crisis," said Peter Kuhns, who is an organizer for the Assn. of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN, which is a group of low-income residents.

[JDPriestly]

1. This is great. The poor should not be pushed into ghettos by the cost of housing.

I wonder what price range will be considered low-income housing. Believe it or note, out here, that could mean $350,000 to buy the unit. Looks like this initiative is a lot of talk since it is not well funded.

[bobbolink]

2. Segregation in housing must end.

I see this as a good step.

However, I remember that DUers from NOLA have spoken against this.

I wish they would speak up here, and let us know what their objections are.

I'd like to hear them, and learn something from them. THey may very well have some information that we need to know!

ANyone want to post this on the LA board, and ask for comments?

Thanks again, flashl! I really appreciate all your efforts!

:yourock: