There’s An Easy Solution to L.A.’s Housing Crisis

There is a solution to the housing crisis in Los Angeles that the city may be overlooking. Even better, it is free and easy to implement (with just a quick vote). Graduated density zoning or creative zoning is a process where the city can increase the density on assembled land sites in all or specific areas of the city. It doesn’t require a change to the general plan and would help developers avoid the exemption process. Graduated density zoning has been used in Simi Valley and Glendale, as well as other markets, like New Jersey, and has been tremendously successful. Donald Shoup, professor in the Department of Urban Planning at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, argues for the benefits of graduated density zoning in his recent UCLA economic letter, which outlines the benefits and implantation as well as success stories. To find out more, we sat down with Shoup for an exclusive interview, and found that this may be the solution to housing shortages and affordability issues that the city needs.

GlobeSt.com: What exactly is graduated density zoning?