--SPECIAL EDITION NEWSLETTER--
CEQA RELIEF FOR HOUSING
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The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was established to disclose significant environmental impacts created by development projects so policy makers can make informed decisions. Unfortunately, what began as a well-intentioned law to protect the environment has been used by many as a tool to delay and block construction, especially housing. This has severely hampered the entire development process by adding expense and delay, thus contributing to the housing crisis we are experiencing today.
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Over 80 percent of the construction projects challenged under CEQA are higher density infill construction projects that are already located in developed areas, arguably less impactful to new environmental concerns. Even affordable housing projects face CEQA challenges. In 2018, one property owner and a firm of attorneys delayed the construction of a 20- unit housing project in downtown Redwood City by Habitat for Humanity. The case was eventually resolved in favor of the project, but the housing delivery was delayed, and project costs increased. Learn about our suggested solutions in our Housing Emergency Response Kit, here.
Click
here
for CEQA Relief for Housing page.
Click
here
for the HERK web page.
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At Sola, you’ll find two-story homes with open floor plans, fun design options for personalization in Santa Clarita. Sola has fresh takes on Prairie, Spanish and Farmhouse architectural styles, and flexible spaces like lofts, dens and bonus rooms. When it’s time to get outside and play, kids and adults alike will love the swimming pools, splash pad, bocce ball court, barbecue grills and more at The Lookout, Sola’s action-packed recreation center. Not to mention miles of hiking trails, STEM-inspired learning spots and 1,600 acres of natural space surrounding the community. At Sola, adventure’s always just around the corner. Learn more
here
.
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SCAG'S 30TH ANNUAL DEMOGRAPHIC WORKSHOP
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This week, BIA-LAV attended SCAG’s 30th Annual Demographic Workshop “Make it Count: The Impact of Census 2020 & Connect SoCal on Our Future”. Our organization has been at the forefront of discussions surrounding our region’s dire need for housing, and helping to determine how we count people, their needs and measure
Regional Housing Needs Assessment (
RHNA) numbers accurately, to ensure we can provide accurately for our present and our future. BIA-LAV was supportive of SCAG’s presented research surrounding a new method of examining the growing mismatch of incomes and rents as opposed to blaming developers and landlords for increased housing costs.
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Last Friday, BIA-LAV Director of Government Affairs, Diana Coronado, participated in the Valley Industry & Commerce Association's Housing Roundtable discussion. Housing stakeholders across the region came together to meet with members of the State Legislature and Los Angeles City Council to discuss barriers and solutions to create more housing and the needs from local, state and federal government to implement growth. BIA-LAV shared solutions found in our Housing Emergency Response Kit with Senator Stern, Assemblymember Friedman, Assemblymember Rivas, Councilman Koretz and LA City Planning Director Vince Bertoni.
Learn more about HERK
here
.
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VACANCY TAX BEING STUDIED IN LA CITY
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In a motion by
Councilmen Bonin (CD11), Harris-Dawson (CD8), Koretz (CD5) and Ryu (CD4), LA City Council has asked staff to come back with options for an “empty homes penalty” or vacancy tax, in an effort to address the 100,000+ vacant units across the city. If such a tax is approved by the Council, law requires it to be placed on a future ballot to be approved by voters for approval. BIA-LAV has already been discussing with Council offices why this concept would be yet another added cost to the already sky-high price of housing.
Learn more about BIA-LAV's Rent Control HERK page
here
.
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Worsening California Housing Crisis Stymies State Lawmakers
(
CBS News
)
LA council members propose taxing landlords who leave homes vacant
(
LA Times
)
Sure, study a vacancy tax, but the solution to L.A.’s housing crisis is still to build
(
LA Times
):
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"
But let’s be clear: Los Angeles’ affordable housing and homelessness crisis is the result of a decades-long failure to build enough homes to meet the growing demand. We have a housing shortage that is driving up prices, and the long-term solution is to greatly increase housing construction — at all levels of affordability.
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Learn more
here
.
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STANDOUT SOCIAL MEDIA MEMBER
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We want to recognize Christine Minkler as this week's Standout Social Media Member and for being a strong supporter of BIA-LAV! Christine works as the Account Executive - Los Angeles/Northern California, Construction Division for Gothic Landscape. Gothic Landscape provides the highest standard of quality landscape maintenance care. They have been recognized by leading industry publications as being one of the largest and fastest growing landscape maintenance companies in North America. Thank you Christine for your hardwork and dedication to BIA-LAV! Learn more about Gothic
here
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Do you want to be featured as a Standout Social Media Member?! Use the links below to connect and engage with us on social media. You'll receive updated information and the latest news related to the BIA and the building industry. Click on the second row to share this newsletter with friends!
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