Affordable?? housing, Jordan Downs and other affordable housing projects

There are ways to create true affordable housing. However, based on their behaviors and actions,  our elected officials do not appear to have any interest in solving the problem.

In this  Los Angeles Times article from April, market rate developers can build $140-160 per square foot. Yet “affordable” housing costs $450-$650 per square foot??!!??

Under Mayor Garcetti, development “soft costs” (permits, fees, required expediting services,  interest paid by developers due to delays and much more) because of the poor management of LA Dept of Building and Safety and other required LA Departments with required clearances have ballooned in many cases to upwards of $80,0000 to $100,000 or more.

In other words,  under Garcetti’s watch, we have added $600-$1,200 per month to rent just because Garcetti and other elected officials can’t get their act together. And as LA goes, so goes the region.

This is one of the ultimate causes of displacement due to gentrification. Yet they blame it on the market rate developers who, if not for the soft costs can build for $140-160 per square foot.

On the other hand the “affordable” housing developers who suck up the $450-650 sq. ft., such as those that are re-developing the Jordan Downs Housing Developments are the heros???
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In my opinion, this is the ultimate way to promote displacement from gentrification.

The politicians and “affordable” housing developers put on a dog and pony show to celebrate the few that are provided housing and jobs.

Yet, the masses are left behind. As is obvious in Los Angeles, more are being left behind and in much worse shape then when the redevelopment started.

There are responsible ways to create more affordable housing.

However, our elected officials, including local, state and federal, have shown no sincere interest in solving the problem.

There are some very specific and explainable reasons why developers are overbuilding only the “luxury” units in the higher income communities, yet the market developers significantly underbuilding the density in South LA?  While they would prefer to build the higher density to help with the housing shortage, they are only building the hodge-podge of low density duplexes and four unit buildings.

And they wonder why those of us trying to improve communities are taking our money and no longer willing to build in Los Angeles or even in California.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-redevelopment-money-20180409-story.html