Promoting Transit-Oriented Communities in Los Angeles

October 21, 2021  

Promoting Transit-Oriented Communities in Los Angeles

The In Depth section on RBC takes a closer look at innovative state and local strategies, activities, and plans to mitigate the impacts of regulations on the development of affordable housing. Each In Depth article highlights a particular plan, ordinance, or strategy in the RBC database and elaborates on aspects such as the approval process, stakeholder participation, and the progress made in reducing regulatory barriers.

The latest In Depth article explores the guidelines of the Transit Oriented Communities Affordable Housing Incentive (TOC) Program in Los Angeles, which was created under a city ordinance that encourages mixed-income housing in areas where low-income residents rely on public transportation for access to jobs and services, but are also likely to be displaced by the development of market-rate housing. The guidelines create a tier-based incentive area around major transit stops to determine the percentage of affordable housing a developer must provide in exchange for incentives, such as increased density allowances and reduced parking requirements. The planning department reports that since the program's inception in 2017, it has been the most successful of the city's incentive programs in producing extremely low-income units.

Visit HUD User's RBC In Depth page to learn more about the Los Angeles TOC Incentive Program and other plans and initiatives that state and local governments have enacted to reduce impediments to affordable housing.