Inclusionary Housing Feasibility Study
Inclusionary Housing, also known as inclusionary zoning and mixed income housing, is a local policy or ordinance that requires a developer to “include” a certain percentage of homes or apartments in a residential development to be affordable to households that earn lower and moderate incomes. Many communities in California and across the country rely on inclusionary housing polices to achieve affordable housing goals.
The County’s recently adopted Housing Element includes a program that commits the Department of Regional Planning (DRP) to evaluate the feasibility of establishing an inclusionary housing policy. The program also requires that if inclusionary housing is not feasible, that the DRP develop other strategies for creating a local source of funding for affordable housing. During the public hearing to adopt the Housing Element, the Board of Supervisors instructed DRP to complete this program by August, 2009.
The Inclusionary Housing Feasibility Study will consider whether an inclusionary housing tool would be beneficial, practical and appropriate in the County’s unincorporated communities. The study will examine the pros and cons of inclusionary housing, the experience of other local jurisdictions, as well as local housing market conditions in the County. In addition, the study will gauge the preferences of valued stakeholders.
Outreach
The Department of Regional Planning is seeking input from a variety of stakeholders. In summer of 2009, the department adminstered a questionnaire about inclusionary zoning to community groups. If you are interested in providing comments or have questions about the study or inclusionary housing in general, please contact the Housing Section at (213) 974-6417 or housing@planning.lacounty.gov
Resources
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) compiled a list of publications relevant to inclusionary housing policies. Click here to for the PDF document.
