Los Angeles is grappling with the rising costs of building housing for homeless people. Rethinking the standard process is a way to save time and money.
Doug Smith reports that rising construction costs are threatening to deplete Proposition HHH funds. The 2016 bond measure provides $1.2 billion to build 10,000 housing units for the homeless in 10 years. However, progress is stalling as initial expected costs of $300,000 per unit have gone up to $500,000 in recent project proposals.
The citizens' committee overseeing these funds has started looking for more innovative ways to get the housing built quickly with the funding resources available. A proposal from FlyawayHomes suggested fully funding projects through loans, rather than partially funding them, to speed up completion. It also proposed designing units with shared common areas to bring down the cost.
Another proposal from Gensler outlined a micro-units plan incorporating shared kitchens and living room spaces instead of costlier individual units. "Cristian Ahumada, executive director of nonprofit developer Clifford Beers, offered ideas including long-term leases to remove land costs from capital budgets, removing parking requirements and creating a funding model for small developments," says Smith.
The committee will continue reviewing proposals this month and offer recommendations to the city council in November.
FULL STORY: Wanted: Innovative ideas to house homeless people faster and at a lower cost
L.A. Program Seeks to Boost Construction of Homeless Housing
The Los Angeles plan to build supportive housing for homeless people is lagging and costing much more than anticipated. A new pilot program seeks to overcome these hurdles by soliciting new ideas and strategies from developers.
Lack of Federal and State Subsidies Slow Homeless Housing Development in L.A.
Developments funded by Los Angeles' Proposition HHH homeless housing bond has been delayed for three key reasons.
The 'Vanlord' Providing Shelter to L.A.'s Homeless
A creative rental industry has emerged in Los Angeles as the affordable housing crisis grows.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service