Abstract
ABSTRACT
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the challenges and opportunities surrounding the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). This study provides the cities in Los Angeles County with a current understanding of its affordable housing strategy to fully engage in efforts to address affordable housing in a more informed manner.
Theoretical Framework: This research provides comprehensive factors in meeting housing demands in the cities in Los Angeles County using a systems approach. The theories that inform this research were the Tiebout theory, social constructivism, democratic and elite theories, governance networks, administrative conjunction, and social network theories.
Methodology: This study employed a systems approach to understanding Los Angeles County’s affordable housing strategy. This study used both primary data such as HCIDLA, LAHD, U.S. Census Bureau, the City of Los Angeles Housing Element, and scholarly sources and secondary data: interviews with CCI urban planners, HCD managers, ADU program directors, and the residents. The quantitative data obtained from the primary and secondary data were input into SPSS. The outcome will be visualized in a Multiple Linear Regression Analysis chart to understand better the various variables’ correlation surrounding the ADUs in Los Angeles County.
Findings: The ADU proposal suggested by the state of California is a viable solution to increase affordable housing units. The main problem with the modest ADU production in California is not the proposal itself but the strict policies and the lack of realistic governmental support that demotivate investors from producing. Financially pressured property owners wish for a passive income to help with their housing expenses. Still, they do not want to pay for a costly ADU construction cost and wait for a more extended investment return.
Conclusion and Recommendation: It is recommended that Los Angeles County relax the ADU policy in general, mainly related to the construction, and arrange ADU programs’ and grants’ eligibility requirements to incentivize investors to produce. The ADU proposal benefits the investors, but all these wins come with challenges, such as the cost of investing and reducing privacy.