Residents of Long Beach have an invitation to weigh in on the city's housing future; the City of Long Beach Community Development Department is hosting a workshop about the Enhanced Density Bonus Ordinance update this September 25. According to the official announcement, the event will be held at the Long Beach Energy Resources Department Auditorium from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The ordinance in question allows for increased building density, a move that can make room for more mixed-income and multi-family housing, and in exchange developers are provided concessions and bonuses for including affordable housing units within their projects, there is a strategic approach to guide development into planned growth areas, the City’s Planning Bureau and RRM Design, a consulting firm, will be at the workshop to present this vision for the future. They will also field questions from the public and incorporate their input into the ordinance’s next iteration, reflecting a process deeply rooted in community engagement.
Long Beach is not alone in wrestling with housing questions; similar measures are being discussed in cities all over California. The density bonus model is increasingly becoming a key tool for municipalities looking to address housing shortages, particularly for low and moderate-income residents.
For those interested in attending the workshop, pre-registration is not mandatory, but it's encouraged, and people requiring Spanish, Khmer, or Tagalog interpretation services can request them by emailing [email protected], a group dedicated to informing and involving residents in the city's housing policies. The feedback from this workshop is slated to shape the ordinance's draft due in Winter 2025, with subsequent public hearings and potential adoption in Spring 2026.
The Long Beach government has positioned this as part of a broader strategy to promote fair and equitable development across the city, seeking to balance growth with community needs and concerns. More details on the Enhanced Density Bonus Ordinance and how to participate in the ongoing discussion are available on the city's website.
