L.A. Ends 'Veto' Power Over Homeless Housing

Anti-poverty advocates had criticized the "pocket veto" as arbitrary and unfair—and the state agreed.

1 minute read

October 22, 2018, 10:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


Homeless

Checubus / Shutterstock

At the threat of losing state money, Los Angeles is ending a controversial practice that allows councilmembers to block affordable housing in their districts.

Presently, developers seeking city funding for homeless or affordable housing to get a letter from the councilmember representing the area. An L.A. Times study echoed charges by advocates that withholding the letter was a common way to quietly block homeless housing in districts throughout the city.

Now, as part of an effort to force cities to approve more housing, California has passed a law that would withhold state money from projects subject to the letter requirement. Emily Alpert Reyes reports in the Los Angeles Times.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles Times

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