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A surprising report card for housing in LA

Posted on 03/17/2026
CHIP Housing Picture

One Big Thing: CHIP-ping Away at the Housing Crisis

What Happened?
One year ago, City Council approved a technical package of reforms that represented a generational shift in the city’s housing approach. 
It’s called the Citywide Housing Incentive Program (CHIP), and it includes three key components: 
  1. Mixed-Income Incentives: Promotes new housing near transit corridors and in wealthier neighborhoods that have more job opportunities, but less housing.
  2. State Density Bonuses: Increases how much housing can be built when more affordable units are included.
  3. Affordable Housing Incentives: Allows the building of 80-100% affordable housing, including on public land and faith-owned sites.
Why it Matters
Los Angeles is facing an unprecedented housing crisis. To meet state goals, the city must build over 450,000 homes by 2029. 
But far too often, instead of pushing progress along, the city acts as a roadblock, or political pressure attempts to kill desperately-needed projects entirely. 
Progress Report 
The Planning Department’s six-month review found that housing proposals have “increased in all areas of the City because of CHIP, especially in areas where development has not previously been popular or possible.” 
In the first six months alone: 
  • 16,659 units have been proposed under CHIP
  • 5,714 of those units are affordable
  • 90% of applications are moving through streamlined approvals.
What's Next?
Passing policy is only the first step—implementation is what actually delivers housing. 
While we address permitting delays, we're also hearing about issues popping up in construction timelines, particularly with utility hookups and other infrastructure challenges. 
Los Angeles should be a city where the people who work here can actually afford to live here. To keep housing moving, we need to work with LADWP and other city departments to eliminate these bottlenecks and ensure that approved projects can actually get built.
Two More Quick Hits! 
1. Preventing CA Law Enforcement from Moonlighting for ICE 
The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved our resolution supporting Isaac Bryan’s AB 1537, a bill that would prevent California law enforcement from moonlighting for federal immigration enforcement. 
The City of Los Angeles is now officially backing the legislation as it heads into committee hearings in Sacramento.
2. Join the CD13 Rapid Response Network!  
Our Rapid Response Network is empowering residents to take action and stand up for our most vulnerable neighbors. More eyes on the ground means less opportunity for federal officers to carry out harmful or unlawful operations in our district! 
Want to be part of the solution? Sign up at bit.ly/CD13RRN to stay up-to-date on upcoming trainings and join the 300+ members of the CD13 Rapid Response Network!