LOS ANGELES—Ballot Measure JJJ has passed in Los Angeles. The measure, also known as Build Better L.A., will require developers to include a certain percentage of housing for low-income residents for all condo and apartment projects that require a zoning change or special city approval, which, thanks to an outdated master plan, is most of the development projects in L.A. The measure also requires that all developers hire local union workers.

“We're proud,” Rusty Hicks, executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO and convener of the Build Better L.A. Coalition, tells GlobeSt.com. “Our goal was to give Angelenos the opportunity to thrive and succeed with quality jobs and homes that are actually affordable. Voters made it loud and clear that they want solutions that are inclusive, not exclusive.” GlobeSt.com reached out to several other groups, including CBRE, ROEM Development, Trammell Crow, California Landmark Group, and so on, but was not able to secure a comment about the measure or its impact on the development community.

Measure JJJ passed with nearly two-thirds of the vote, showing the measure held ardent support in the community. Santa Monica also had a development-centered ballot measure, which would have required all development projects get approval from the voters rather than City Council; however, that measure, Measure LV, did not pass. The development ballot measures aren't over. The Neighborhood Integrity Initiative, which will put a two-year moratorium on all development projects that require any zoning change, comes to vote in March.

For Measure JJJ, the City has 90 days after passage to implement all of the elements of the measure. “Any developer who requests a zoning change from the city will have to adhere to JJJ,” says Hicks. “Developers will build, and in return working families will be able to afford a home in Los Angeles.”

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Voters Pass Affordable Housing Initiative

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