Yesterday, Los Angeles Mayor Bass's seventh executive directive received substantial support from local employers, businesses, and housing leaders. The directive's core purpose is to tackle the city's housing crunch, particularly by expediting the construction of essential housing for varying income levels as reported by her office.
Los Angeles, known for its cultural diversity and vibrant neighborhoods, has been grappling with exorbitant housing costs and a surge in homelessness in recent years. Mayor Bass has taken action to address these pressing issues by facilitating housing production and instituting policies promoting affordability and accessibility.
Regional President of Southern California and Hawaii Markets for the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals, Michelle Gaskill-Hames, commends the directive for its potential to expedite the provision of housing for healthcare workers and other professionals in the city according to her statement. Furthermore, pricing considerations under the directive are expected to maintain the city's competitiveness in attracting and retaining talent across diverse sectors.
Central City Association's (CCA) President and CEO, Nella McOsker, praises Executive Directive 7 (ED 7) for its alignment with the CCA's objectives. She stresses that minimizing discretionary processes and expediting permits in an effort to resolve the city's housing crisis are indications of the city's commitment toward fostering public-private partnerships for investment and development according to McOsker.
Marty Borko, the Executive Director of the Urban Land Institute, highlights the directive's contribution to addressing housing attainability, specifically in its role in reducing homelessness and improving life quality for city residents. In addition, Borko supports the directive's recognition of the real estate and development community in its effort to offer housing at various price points throughout Los Angeles.
Aided by a research study conducted by the Los Angeles Business Council (LABC) in collaboration with UCLA and CalStateLA. The study suggests a potential for at least a 25% increase in efficient processes across city departments. LABC's President, Mary Leslie, reportedly admires Mayor Bass's endeavors to elevate these processes, especially through swift planning and development approval as mentioned by the Mayor's office.
Ernesto Medrano, Executive Secretary of the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council, stresses that addressing housing availability alone is insufficient—it's equally essential to ensure access to sustainable income opportunities for workers during the construction process. Medrano appreciates Mayor Bass's simultaneous focus on housing affordability and the promotion of sustainable wages and benefits, thus recognizing the importance of a balanced market approach to the city's mounting housing challenges as reported by Medrano.
