California Construction News staff writer
In a groundbreaking move to address Los Angeles’ housing crisis, Mayor Karen Bass recently unveiled a new initiative aimed at rapidly increasing affordable housing availability while simultaneously reducing costs for taxpayers. Through a public-private partnership with philanthropies and developers, the program is set to deliver thousands of affordable housing units while cutting through bureaucratic red tape that has historically slowed development.
“This is a historic moment for Los Angeles,” Mayor Bass said during the announcement. “We are bringing more people inside, faster, and at a lower cost to taxpayers. The partnership between business, philanthropy, and government is showing what’s possible when we work together toward real solutions.”
LA4LA: A collaborative Public-Private Partnership
The public-private partnership LA4LA is a collaborative effort using the expertise and resources of business leaders, developers, and philanthropic organizations to unlock new housing solutions. The goal is to leverage private funding, grant assistance, and low-interest loans to fast-track the construction of permanent supportive housing for Los Angeles’ most vulnerable residents.
The first project under LA4LA, located in Koreatown, faced significant delays due to rising material costs and skyrocketing interest rates. Thanks to the intervention of LA4LA, which secured critical grant funding and a low-interest loan, the project is now moving forward, providing 58 new units of permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless Angelenos.
“We’re not just building housing—we’re creating sustainable communities,” said Vanessa Aguirre, executive director of LA4LA. “Through our partnerships with developers, foundations, and the City, we are ensuring that every new unit of affordable housing contributes to long-term stability for families and individuals who need it most.”
Reducing costs and streamlining development
The initiative is a departure from the city’s traditional, bureaucratic approach to housing development. By cutting permit approval wait times by 75% and streamlining the regulatory process, Mayor Bass is ensuring that developers can build and deliver affordable housing more efficiently and at lower costs.
The collaboration with philanthropic organizations, including the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, California Community Foundation, and the Ballmer Foundation have played a critical role in funding projects and providing essential financial support.
Also, the Small Lots/Big Impact Design Competition, launched by LA4LA in partnership with UCLA, is exploring new housing models that can deliver affordable homeownership and gentle density in Los Angeles’ most challenged neighborhoods.
In addition to the 58 new units of housing in Koreatown, the partnership is responsible for a new mixed-use project in South L.A. that will add 800 new homes, thousands of construction and permanent jobs, and a Costco with a healthy foods grocery store and pharmacy—helping to revitalize a historically underserved neighborhood.
“We are not just building homes; we’re building communities that are sustainable, economically diverse, and accessible,” said Tiffany Johnson, CEO of Treehouse Community LA, the development partner behind the Koreatown project. “Through partnerships like LA4LA, we’re able to create real solutions for Angelenos in need of safe, affordable housing.”
