When the pandemic hit LA and Safer at Home orders began, we pushed for flexibility so that businesses could respond nimbly to the challenges arising and advocated for a proactive policy agenda focused on stability during the crisis, recovery and long-term growth. While times are still very difficult and uncertain, CCA continues to focus on the pandemic response and what recovery efforts are needed for Downtown Los Angeles and the city.

We know the pandemic has not impacted all Angelenos equally, illuminating disparities across communities and elevating our broken systems. Our most pressing challenges existed long before the pandemic began. We must use recovery as an opportunity to address our region's broken systems, especially our homelessness and housing crises. This is increasingly urgent as homelessness in the city continues to grow year over year and an additional 14,100 people are anticipated to become chronically homeless in LA County by 2023 from the economic impacts of the pandemic. Additionally, the City of LA must plan for over 450,000 housing units to be built over the next eight years. 

While much could change in our fight against the pandemic in coming weeks, our leaders can act now to prepare for recovery and address our most persistent issues. To achieve this goal, our public sector partners will need to urgently implement effective development policies and leverage external partners' expertise through creative new structures to inform and execute recovery plans. 

Implementing policies with urgency is critical for LA's comeback.
With political will and adequate resources, we can house unsheltered Angelenos quickly and cost-effectively. The rapid development of the interim shelter site at 1060 N. Vignes Street is a recent example of this and is an important opportunity to provide much-needed homeless housing. Initiated by Supervisor Solis, the project provides 232 units at about $200,000 each by leveraging modular construction and working on an expedited timeline. We are excited to see our policymakers utilize cost-effective construction typologies and timelines by streamlining pre-construction processes. It's also encouraging to see our DTLA Councilmember Kevin de León make homelessness his top priority by introducing a package of motions that include prioritizing practices like modular construction to deliver housing for those that need it most.

Now is also the right time to lean on and learn from existing state and sister cities' housing and development policies to increase our housing supply at all income levels, including:

• Implementing AB 2345, a state bill adopted last year that provides up to a 50% density bonus for on-site affordable housing units. 
• Replicating San Diego's incentives to increase production of middle-income housing.
• Expanding the City's Adaptive Reuse Ordinance to include buildings constructed after 1974 and broaden the areas of the city that allow for adaptive reuse. (Look out for our upcoming adaptive reuse white paper.)

Bringing proven policies and best practices to our city quickly can help reduce the burdensome cost of housing, create well-paying jobs, attract more investment in LA and recover lost tax revenue.

Leveraging expertise to inform and execute recovery plans will help ensure success.
We also believe that additional expertise in real estate could help the City more effectively utilize its publicly owned properties to address the homelessness crisis. CCA's broad coalition has many ideas about how to accomplish this, including:

• Creating a Chief Asset Manager role within the City to ensure efficient project delivery.
• Improving building efficiency by working with industry experts to embrace innovative construction typologies like mass timber and clarify LADWP transformer placement requirements.

We look forward to collaborating with our public sector partners during this critical time. Our city and Downtown are historically resilient, and with strong partnerships and a clear vision, we can achieve a vibrant future.