Examining L.A.'s Housing Crisis: Zoning, Developers, and Affordability

The housing affordability crisis in Los Angeles is largely a result of restrictive zoning laws, downzoning in the past, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which is often used to block housing projects. The lack of new construction has driven up home prices, making it difficult for average people to afford homes in prime areas. The city needs to upzone and streamline the approval process to allow for more housing development. However, the reluctance to upzone is influenced by NIMBY-ism and the desire of politicians to appease homeowners.