Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of the study was to identify patterns of response (or lack of response) by cities in Los Angeles County, California, in providing adequate affordable housing for their citizens. Theoretical framework. Kurt Lewin's force field theory was established as a useful framework to address constraining and facilitating forces that determine affordable housing in cities. Methodology. This study used both quantitative and qualitative methods of research and focused on 45 of the 88 cities within Los Angeles County. Independent variables, such as funding, fiscal motivation, and community demographics, were used in a regression analysis to determine the relationship of each with the providing affordable housing within each city. Interviews were conducted with the planning director and city manager from eight cities in Los Angeles County to explore the attitudes of city officials, specifically city managers, toward affordable housing. Major findings. A relationship was found between funding and median citizen age with affordable housing provided. A reverse relationship was found between population size and education levels, and affordable housing provided. Answers to the interview questions indicated that the attitudes of city managers are a driving force in the amount of affordable housing provided in communities, and city managers' perceptions of whether voters in their communities supported or had negative opinions of affordable housing affected the supply of affordable housing. Conclusions and recommendations. Attitudes of city managers and their staff toward affordable housing and changing their perception of voters opposing affordable housing is paramount to affecting the amount of affordable housing in Los Angeles County cities. It is also necessary to have funding specifically for affordable housing. Groups of people within certain demographics will not necessarily support or oppose affordable housing. Cities with a larger population may oppose affordable housing unless the population can be divided into smaller segments. It will take the combined efforts of individuals as well as local, state, and federal governments to increase the amount of affordable housing provided.