SoCal Government Group Hears Mixed Economic Forecast From Analyst
A business representative has delivered a mixed economic forecast to members of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) at the group’s current two-week session.
Randall Lewis, a non-voting member and business representative on the council who specializes in real estate, recently gave his regularly scheduled economic assessment to the group, which members say provides accurate information for planning.
Lewis told the group, which is holding virtual hearings through Jan. 22, to consider state-mandated housing allocations throughout the region, that many small businesses are likely to go under soon.
“The big story on closings is going to be the small independent retailers and restaurant owners,” Lewis said. “And we expect that we’re going to see a significant number of them throw in the towel in February, March, and April.”
PLANNING WATCH-By State of California law and the City of Los Angeles Charter, Los Angeles must prepare, adopt, maintain, and monitor its General Plan, even though its chapters (i.e. elements) on infrastructure and public services are over 50 years old.
But one part of the General Plan, the Housing Element, is perfectly updated.
Based on what we know about the forthcoming 2013-2020 element, the worsening housing crisis, and the market outlook that dominates City Hall housing policy, we need to gird ourselves for a big bamboozle: an updated Housing Element that promotes open-ended real estate speculation. This is particularly ironic because we know a great deal about the housing crisis, and it conflicts with this purpose.
Pasadena Being Held to its Regional Housing Needs Assessment
The city of Pasadena, known for innovative planning approaches to parking and transit-oriented development, is in a pitched battle with regional authorities over how much housing to build in the coming decade. January 13, 2021, 9am PST | James Brasuell |
GTD Aquitaine The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Monday denied an appeal by Pasadena of its Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation by the state, which is mandating that the city build 9,400 units of new housing by October 2029, reports Eddie Rivera.
SCAG s decision to deny the city s appeal is preliminary, according to Rivera, with a final decision expected on January 22.
State Quotas for Housing Meet Resistance in Southern California
Cities throughout Orange County, California, are appealing state-mandated quotas to build more high-density and affordable housing. Some local officials say the quotas are too high and have been shifted unfairly from nearby counties.
Irvine, Newport Beach, Yorba Linda, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and Mission Viejo are among the cities that have launched appeals with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), which are scheduled to be heard through Jan. 22.
At the group’s Jan. 7 meeting, Kome Ajise, the executive director of SCAG, said the organization had received 31 letters from 48 different jurisdictions contesting the state’s “regional determination” for affordable housing.
How Newport Beach Ended Up With 2 Affordable Housing Units In 8 Years Monday, December 28, 2020 | Sacramento, CA
In this May 24, 2020, file photo, visitors gather on the beach during the Memorial Day weekend in Newport Beach, Calif. California s mood has gone from optimistic to sour as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations are on the rise.
AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File
They say you get what you pay for, but when it comes to affordable housing, wealthy Southern California cities are paying to get almost nothing. And that’s exactly the way they want it.
Between 2013 and 2021, the state of California allocated the city of Newport Beach a total of two units of affordable housing, defined by the state as low- or very low-income. The state gave Lake Forest, a city of similar size and population, 1,097 units.