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Homes End Homelessness:
An Open Letter on Judge Carter’s Order
Every Angeleno knows that homelessness in Los Angeles has been at a crisis point for years. The tragedy on our streets has become even more salient as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and Judge David Carter’s recent order requiring the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County to offer some form of shelter or housing to the entire homeless population of Skid Row by October.
There have been debates about the merit of Judge Carter’s order. What would be the best approach for our city and its people, housed and unhoused?
Judge Carter is correct that LA’ homelessness crisis is rooted in its severe lack of housing and historic patterns of socioeconomic segregation. Studies have found that high housing costs, rents, and poverty rates, as well as below-average homebuilding, all correlate with high homelessness.
All these point to the need to build more permanent homes, and this housing element update is a major opportunity to achieve this goal. We recommend policies that ensure equitable distribution of rezoning and land use reforms, and make housing faster and easier to build, such as:
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Legalize mid-rise and high-rise housing in commercially-zoned areas, near job centers, and near transit, especially in high-income areas.
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Exclude parcels that contain RSO housing units from rezoning and implement stronger tenant protection policies.
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Make most residential and mixed-use developments “by-right” and expedite approval of deed-restricted affordable and permanent supportive housing.
While we share the court’s impatience with ending homelessness, we must be thoughtful with our policies to promote safe, stable, and permanent homes for Angelenos experiencing housing instability or homelessness, not dormitory shelters.
Read our full letter and policy recommendations.
What’s next?
The Judge’s order has been temporarily stayed by an appeals court. We are tracking LA City Council’s response to this order closely, and will update you when we have news.
 Spotlight:
Rhena the House Makes New Friends
Housing advocate, artist, architect, and politician Alfred Twu created an amazing story book about California’s housing crisis, told through the lense of Rhena, a lovely single family home who witnessed CA’s housing crisis unfold, cramming families into overcrowded living situations and making it impossible for the younger generations to afford homes of their own. And Rhena herself experienced changes, too. A delightful and informative read, great for young and seasoned housing advocates alike.
Read & share Rhena’s story!
YIMBY Lobby Week – 6/22 to 6/24
LAST CHANCE to register!
Advocate for a housing-first legislative agenda by attending the YIMBY Lobby Week!
In order to participate, you must attend a pre-lobby training session – the LAST training takes place TOMORROW 6/15!
BONUS: everyone who signs up for the training session by END OF TODAY will have the opportunity to get a free t-shirt courtesy of YIMBY Action!
RSVP today for Virtual Lobby Week 2021
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