Southern California is a prosperous place. Yet the region faces major challenges to its quality of life. One of these challenges is the current housing crisis. Understanding the key issues behind the shortage of affordable housing, and its relationship to the region's growth, is an important first step in dealing with housing crisis that L.A. faces.
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Facing up to growth. Los Angeles has always been an attractive place to live, and will likely continue to grow as long as Southern California remains a prosperous and desirable place to live. |
Los Angeles is great place to live. With its mild climate, spectacular scenery, economic opportunity and cultural richness, Los Angeles has always attracted people from other parts of the nation and the world with aspirations for a better life.
Our history shows that the region will likely continue to grow as long as Southern California remains a place where people want to live. The challenge is to make sure that growth does not negatively impact the quality of life for residents — both new and old.
» Get the facts about growth in Los Angeles
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Fulfilling the promise. People live in Los Angeles expecting a better life for themselves and their children. We need to make sure that L.A. can live up to its promise for future generations. |
In the past, many families in Los Angeles were successful in moving up into middle class lifestyles because home prices were within reach of factory workers, teachers and other working people. Today's high home prices have made it impossible for most residents to buy a home, and many families struggle to afford the rent on a modest apartment.
If Los Angeles is to continue to be a prosperous and desirable place to live, we need to provide more affordable homes and ensure that the promise of a better life is within reach for everyone in the city.
» Learn about the high cost of housing in Los Angeles
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Rethinking growth. After decades of prosperity, many people are recognizing that poorly planned growth has contributed to many of the quality of life issues in Los Angeles. |
Severe traffic congestion, unhealthy air quality, and decaying neighborhoods are all related to the dominant pattern of growth in Los Angeles — which emphasizes low-density residential development in outlying areas connected to jobs and shopping by crowded roads and freeways.
In order to fulfill the promise of a better life for future generations, we need to create more healthy and sustainable neighborhoods and regions.
