Recent Streetsblog LA posts about affordable housing

The vacant lots encompassing the 8400 and 8500 blocks on Vermont have held the community hostage to blight for over 26 years. The 8300 block (from which this photo was taken) had also remained vacant for a number of years and was originally going to be incorporated into the Vermont Entertainment Village project. In the mid-2000s, Eli Sasson sold off his 8300 block parcels (helping to doom the mall project) and the County services building rose on it instead in 2007. Source: County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas

As Vermont/Manchester Transportation School Moves Forward, Community Reckons with Past, Wrestles with Form Change Should Take

By Sahra Sulaiman | Oct 16, 2018 | 2 Comments

For black stakeholders eager to shed the despised "Death Alley" label and address the damage rooted in segregationist policies, the stakes feel especially high

Juan Carlos Mercado and Miguel Sanchez stand in a vacant lot at Manchester and Vermont. The former swap meet site saw a groundbreaking three years ago but the mall project, planned by developer Eli Sasson, never materialized. And the buildings behind the youth - occupied by homeless folks from the area - burned down in February. Sahra Sulaiman/Streetsblog L.A.

County Wins Control of Vermont/Manchester Lots in Superior Court Ruling

By Sahra Sulaiman | Apr 26, 2018 | 13 Comments

Thursday's ruling approving the County's bid to acquire the lots from developer Eli Sasson via eminent domain effectively closes the book on the 26 years the community has been held hostage to blight.

Councilmember Paul Koretz claimed S.B. 827 would "destroy the city" Tuesday at a hearing for a resolution to oppose the bill.

Los Angeles City Council Votes Unanimously to Oppose S.B. 827

By Jason Islas | Mar 27, 2018 | 27 Comments

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Tuesday morning for a resolution opposing State Senate Bill (S.B.) 827, the bill authored by State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) that would override local zoning near transit to allow for denser housing. The resolution — introduced by Councilmembers David Ryu and Herb Wesson — is just the […]

S.B. 827 News: Rules Cmte Affirms Need to Address Housing Crisis; Says No to Sacramento’s Approach

By Sahra Sulaiman | Mar 23, 2018 | 24 Comments

While curbing the power of the I-got-mine-so-go-away-peasant crowd to veto growth is indeed a most urgent imperative, the fact that the zoning changes are tied to transit lines means that, here in Los Angeles, it is disproportionately lower-income communities of color that will be affected by the bill.

Senate Bill 827, Equity, and the Need for Coalition Building in the YIMBY Movement

By Jason Islas | Feb 14, 2018 | 20 Comments

Senator Wiener's bill, aimed at making it easier to build housing at a time when the state is suffering from a debilitating shortage, has, to put it mildly, ignited a robust debate in activist circles.

A rendering of the affordable housing, boarding school, and transit plaza planned for Vermont/Manchester. Source: Mark Ridley-Thomas

New Renderings for Housing, School, Transit Plaza Planned for Vermont/Manchester Posted Ahead of Saturday Forum

By Sahra Sulaiman | Feb 7, 2018 | 5 Comments

The office of County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas has released renderings of the project planned for the lots at Vermont/Manchester ahead of Congresswoman Maxine Waters' community forum this Saturday.

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