Sunday, July 26, 2015

L.A. is now the least affordable city in America

... and the problems are much the same as in Auckland: an LA times article --

"For much of the last 40 years, planning in Los Angeles has been guided by the idea that growth is bad, that more people mean more congestion, pollution and social ills. The city has emphasized “downzoning” — reducing the number of units allowed to be built on properties — to actively curb growth.

"It hasn't worked. According to the city's 35 separate Community Plans and census data, since 1970, half a million more people have moved to Los Angeles than were planned for. Housing supply simply has not kept pace with growth, so it should be no surprise that L.A. has become the least affordable city in the country — a city booming in gentrification (the rich displacing the poor) and busting in affordability (for everyone except the very well-off)."

Read the rest

A city theme frieze on the wall of a parking building on South Spring Street. (Geoff Churchman pic)

No comments: