My Week in Los Angeles
Establishing our LA Footprint
The vision for HAC is to become a statewide housing force that uses our political influence at the state and local levels to drive pro-housing solutions forward. As the Executive Director, I think we’re doing a pretty good job at achieving that vision. We have a robust political presence in the major urban areas in Northern California. And in recent years, we’ve increased our activity and developed our influence in Sacramento as we advocate for state policy reform. The missing piece has been Southern California. With roughly 18 million people in the Greater Los Angeles area, it would be misguided to call HAC a true statewide organization without a stronger regional presence in SoCal.
That’s why I’m incredibly excited to share that next Monday will mark the first day of our new Southern California Director. They will lead HAC’s expansion to Southern California as he opens our SoCal office and establishes a footprint in the region that matches our influence in Northern California.
In August, I spent several days in Southern California meeting with our members, touring projects, and weighing in on key policy debates. I want to share some reflections and takeaways with our membership.
Touring Valencia with FivePoint
Our week began with a tour of Valencia, a major project from HAC member FivePoint. This development sits on the urban growth boundary — a type of project HAC has not typically reviewed. Valencia raises important questions about how we balance growth, affordability, and sustainability at the edge of our metropolitan areas. We’re excited to bring this project before our membership for consideration and feedback.
Investing in the Workforce
We also toured the South Los Angeles Carpenters Training Facility, an impressive operation preparing the next generation of construction workers. With California facing an unprecedented need for housing production, the skilled labor pipeline is critical. Seeing firsthand how apprentices are being trained to meet this challenge was both inspiring and a reminder that housing advocacy must include workforce development.
Speaking Up for Policy Change
On Tuesday, HAC weighed in on two important policy discussions:
Single Stair Pilot Program: At the Planning and Land Use Committee of the Los Angeles City Council, we spoke in support of advancing a pilot program that allows single-stair buildings on small lots. This reform is crucial for creating more affordable, small-scale housing in urban neighborhoods, while maintaining safety and livability standards. The ordinance did move forward.
Santa Monica Inclusionary Ordinance: That evening, we addressed the Santa Monica City Council in support of an innovative off-site inclusionary housing program. The policy is designed to unlock entitled but stalled housing projects and get them moving into construction — exactly the kind of pragmatic solution California needs right now. The Council voted 6-1 to approve a pilot program for 1,000 units and come back in September to consider the rest of the pipeline.
Spotlight on ADUs and Infill Housing
From Wednesday through Friday, I attended the Casita Coalition Conference, which brought together leaders in the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) movement. The panels demonstrated how a decade of advocacy and policy reform is bearing fruit, with ADUs becoming a key part of California’s housing toolkit.
On Friday, we joined a “Missing Middle” housing tour across Los Angeles. While not truly missing in this case, the small infill projects we visited are precisely the types of developments that can deliver middle-income housing at scale, if permitted and financed effectively.
Learning from Fire Recovery in Altadena
Our week concluded in Altadena, where we spoke with planners and residents about rebuilding efforts in fire-prone areas. Visiting communities directly affected by this year’s fires was a powerful reminder of both the risks and responsibilities that come with housing development in California. Balancing safety, resilience, and affordability is no small task — but it is essential for our state’s future.
Looking Ahead
HAC’s time in Los Angeles underscored why expanding our presence in Southern California is so important. From policy reforms to on-the-ground projects, the region is a laboratory for the kinds of housing solutions California needs statewide.
We look forward to continuing to grow our work here, building stronger partnerships, and — with the addition of a dedicated Southern California Director — deepening HAC’s role in advancing housing solutions across the region.
