Housing: Too Many Rules, People

Re “Shelter the Wealthy, Lock Out the Rest?” Commentary, March 26: Virtually no new rental housing is being built in L.A., even as rents continue to reach new highs. Why? Because our elected officials have destroyed development by creating disincentives. Rent control, abusive code-enforcement inspections and low-income set-asides have driven many real estate professionals to rethink investing in the city.

Yet they continue to propose more regulations! The City Council should hand G.H. Palmer Associates an award for daring to build rental units in such an unfriendly environment. When our so-called leaders realize that only increased rental housing development will reverse the housing shortage and stabilize rents at all levels, perhaps they will embrace and encourage these brave developers and landlords rather than adding more burdens and regulations on housing providers. Don’t count on it.

DAVID WHITEHEAD

Los Angeles

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As a native of Los Angeles I have observed development for 65 years. Redevelopment and new development of residences downtown will benefit our overpopulating society, affordable or not. We put too much emphasis on treatment of the symptoms of excess population: affordable housing, energy demand, water quality, decay of the infrastructure and our overcrowded schools, rather than relating to the cause--too many people.

All U.S. urban areas are experiencing the same problems. The people who work in our urban centers, like police, firemen, nurses and city employees, can’t afford to live where they work or to commute from the suburbs. Affordable housing continues to be subsidized by governments, otherwise builders won’t build new facilities and won’t redevelop older buildings for residential use. Can you blame them for not relating to red tape and the tedious negotiations involved in HUD programs?

If Reform Now focused on population stabilization and improving methods of government participation with builders, then maybe affordable housing could become a real option. At least our valued service providers could then have a place to live, saving them time, costs and the stress of commuting downtown from the suburbs.

BOB WINET

Rancho Mirage