Report: Ballot Measure Intended to Spur Affordable Development Had the Opposite Effect in L.A.

L.A. voters approved Measure JJJ in 2016 in the hopes of encouraging more affordable housing as a trade-off for discretionary approval. The result has been no development at all.

1 minute read

May 27, 2019, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Hollywood Sign

turtix / Shutterstock

"Housing production in Los Angeles has slowed in the two years since Measure JJJ took effect, reports Steven Sharp, sharing research from the University of California Berkeley's College of Environmental Design and Los Angeles-based thinktank LAplus.  

"The ballot measure, which was approved by 65 percent of voters in the November 2016 election, requires that all Los Angeles developments seeking zone changes or general plan amendments employ prevailing wage labor and set aside a percentage of residential units for lower-income households," according to Sharp's explanation.

While 19,000 such projects were proposed from 2016 to 2017, they've since "ground to a halt."

Sharp explains why: "Few projects have filed for entitlements under the Measure JJJ rules, and only one project has been approved to date.  Citing interviews with several developers, the report points to Measure JJJ's prevailing wage requirement as the primary impediment to the use of zone changes and general plan amendments."

Some of that lost production has been offset by the city's Transit Oriented Communities guidelines, which were also enacted by Measure JJJ and have shown positive early returns. According to the report, however, development in the city overall has declined by 11.3 percent since Measure JJJ took effect.

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 in Urbanize LA

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

April 23, 2025 - GoodMigrations

Aerial view of flooding during Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

‘Quality Work, Fast’: NC Gears up for Homebuilding After Helene, Trying to Avoid Past Pitfalls

The state will field bids to demolish, repair and rebuild homes in the mountains. After struggles in eastern NC, officials aim to chart a different course.

45 minutes ago - NC Newsline

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.