Urge LA leaders: legalize missing middle

Newsom signs SB 9 as LA prepares housing element hearings.

Newsom signed SB 9 into law last week. We will work to ensure this is only the beginning of a transformative reform on housing and land use.     Beginning Jan 1st 2022, you can build up to 4 homes on most parcels zoned for single detached homes. This is historic progress and one step toward ending the housing crisis. To learn more about how to use SB 9, check out this helpful guide by artist Alfred Twu.  But even in celebration, we have to keep in mind that the magnitude of the housing shortage and affordability crisis requires much deeper reform on all fronts. How can we make SB 9 work more effectively, stimulating more redevelopments? How can we fund Affordable Housing and streamline its production? What would be the strategy to finally reform parking? What about alternative homeownership opportunities for lower-income families?  We have a lot to think about for the next legislative year and beyond. But now is the time to celebrate our achievements, and most importantly, show appreciation for those who made this fruitful year possible, including you. Help set us up for a even more successful 2022 at our comedy fundraiser on Saturday 10/16!   City of Los Angeles Housing Element Update Virtual Public Hearings If you live or work in Los Angeles, don't miss out on this opportunity to give public comment on the Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element! You can view the draft here and/or read our blog post breaking down the draft here. To summarize, LA City Planning did a good job in site inventory analysis and fair housing assessment, but the plan falls short of committing to implement rezoning and lacks concrete action steps to realize its vision. We are calling on the city to: rezone enough new capacity to result in the creation of 300,000 new homes, increase affordable housing opportunities in high-opportunity neighborhoods, allow “missing middle” multifamily housing citywide, amongst others. For your convenience, two hearing sessions are availabele: Tuesday 9/21 from 6-8pm, and Wednesday 9/22 from 11-1pm. Attend either one, or send in a letter to voice your support for a fair and transformative housing element for the City of LA! Send a letter Give live comment - Tuesday 9/21 Give live comment - Wednesday 9/22     This WED 9/22 | Homelessness and Democracy Ned Resnikoff is the Policy Manager at UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative. He was previously a journalist, and later a fiscal and policy analyst at the California Legislative Analyst's Office. He holds a Masters in Public Policy from UC Berkeley. Read Ned's NYT opinion It’s Hard to Have Faith in a State That Can’t Even House Its People here. RSVP now open to members Monrovia Housing and Tenant Advocates Meeting Mon 9/20 | 7:30 – 9:00pm Plan to House LA Virtual Public Hearing Wed 9/22 | 11 - 1pm | Zoom link here San Fernando Valley for All Meeting Thu 9/23 | 6 - 7pm Friends Of The Purple Line Meeting Fri 9/24 | 5 - 6pm Plan to House LA Virtual Public Hearing Tue 9/21 | 6 – 8pm | Zoom link here Pasadena Chapter Meeting Wed 9/22 | 6 - 8pm CD 9 Chapter Meeting Thu 9/23 | 7 - 8pm Housing Element Captain Check-In Sat 9/25 | 1:30 - 2:30 pm Please email jaime@abundanthousingla.org" style="text-decoration: underline; color: #228ae6;" rel="noopener">Jaime Del Rio to attend local meetings. October 16 | Funny Neighbors: A Comedy Fundraiser for Housing Housing is so important, not only because it is a human right, but also due to its impact on community health in general. This means your tickets to our comedy fundraiser support so much more than just abundant and fair housing. More housing near transit means more walkable and climate-resilient neighborhoods; more housing in areas rich in jobs means less commute for lower-income families; more housing in districts with good schools means more equitable access to education for the next generation. We will be auctioning original artwork by artist Alfred Twu, including the pieces above. Let these art be a reminder of what we ultimately fight for, and that our future can be so much better than the present. Limited spots available. RSVP today! Fundraiser will have complimentary food + drinks. Reception starts at 5 pm, you must rsvp to receive address. Mask required, proof of vaccination or a negative test within 48 hrs required. Tickets start at $50 for members, haley@abundanthousingla.org" style="text-decoration: underline; color: #228ae6;" rel="noopener">email Haley to request members access code to unlock discount. Become a member here.  The Look of Gentrification By Darrell Owens For much of the decade, pundits and activists often cited new amenities as incentivizing gentrification. The cultural dialogue was obsessed with calling every new bar, apartment complex, coffee shop, tech shuttle and bike lane “gentrification.” This discourse left me feeling cold because my neighborhood didn’t have any new coffee shops, bike lanes or luxury condos. The houses hardly looked any different from what they did 50 years ago and the newest apartment was almost a mile away. Continue reading This week in... housing justice  Understanding LA's Homelessness Issues / LAist capitol news After overcoming recall, Newsom signs suite of housing bills / Urbanize housing crisis  SoCal is sabotaging California housing law. Bay Area NIMBYs will, too, if Newsom doesn't stop them / San Francisco Chronicle news from Berlin Berlin Buys Apartments for $2.9 Billion to Quell Housing Anger / Bloomberg CityLab foodforthought Housing Changes Won’t Always be Comfortable. But They’re Necessary. / Voice of San Diego   Show your support for ending exclusionary zoning with a yard sign! And check out our brand new CafePress store with merch for everyone.  Abundant Housing LA 515 S Flower St. Floor 18 Los Angeles, CA, 90071 Too many emails? Update your email preferences here.  If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please (Unsubscribing is not supported in previews).