L.A.'s Crackdown On Illegal Housing

Los Angeles' code enforcement crackdown on illegal housing units has several unforunate consequences.

1 minute read

December 19, 2001, 11:00 AM PST

"Since January 2000, inspectors with the city Housing Department's Systematic Code Enforcement Program have discovered at least 4,447 illegal conversions. Often cited are garages, laundry rooms and attics illegally converted into living spaces.The thousands of nonconforming units present code enforcement officials with a complex balancing act: how to provide families with safe housing without leaving them with no housing at all. Inspectors estimate that landlords eventually remove as many as 90% of the illegally converted units from the market.In some neighborhoods, converted garages and illegal units are the only housing that poor families can afford. When those units are eliminated, many renters can be thrown into a tight housing market with little assistance."

Thanks to Tom Collins

FULL STORY: Crackdown on Unsafe Housing Has Downside for Many Tenants

Wednesday, December 19, 2001 in The Los Angeles Times

Land Use California

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

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.