Why Los Angeles Can’t Afford to Dismantle ED 1

When Mayor Karen Bass introduced Executive Directive 1 (ED 1) shortly after taking office, it marked a rare victory in Los Angeles’ long battle against its housing crisis. By streamlining approvals for 100% affordable housing projects, ED 1 tackled one of the biggest barriers to creating housing: bureaucracy.

The results were undeniable. Approval times for affordable housing plummeted from six months to just 45 days, unlocking nearly 20,000 units in development. For the first time in years, it felt like real progress was being made.

But now, that momentum is at risk. ED 1 is being quietly scaled back, piece by piece, undermining one of the most effective policies L.A. has ever seen.

What Made ED 1 Work

ED 1 was revolutionary because it prioritized action. By cutting through red tape, it allowed developers to move faster, reducing delays and lowering costs for affordable housing projects. The directive sent a clear message: Los Angeles was ready to tackle its housing crisis with urgency.

Its success even sparked conversations about expanding its scope to include mixed-income and market-rate housing, a move that could ease pressure across all levels of the housing market.

Unfortunately, instead of building on ED 1’s success, the city has chosen to dilute its impact.

How ED 1 Is Being Dismantled

A series of revisions and restrictions have steadily weakened ED 1:

• Historic Zones Excluded: Developers can no longer use ED 1’s streamlined process in Historic Preservation Overlay Zones, even for vacant lots.

• Limits on Rent-Controlled Properties: Projects on sites with 12 or more rent-controlled units are now ineligible, blocking larger-scale affordable housing efforts.

• New Labor and Design Requirements: These add complexity and cost, making many projects financially unfeasible.
  

These changes reflect an attempt to appease NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) groups, homeowner associations, and tenant advocates. While community concerns are valid, the solution isn’t to stifle progress—it’s to address concerns while maintaining momentum.

The Missed Opportunity

ED 1 showed us what’s possible when bold policies meet urgent action. Yet instead of expanding its reach to include more housing types, the city is retreating.

Los Angeles faces a shortfall of over 500,000 affordable housing units. Scaling back ED 1—rather than leveraging it to accelerate all forms of housing—means missing a crucial opportunity to address this shortage.

Imagine what could be achieved if the principles behind ED 1 were applied citywide. By cutting approval times and incentivizing development across all housing types, L.A. could see real, sustained progress in addressing homelessness and housing insecurity.

Balancing Concerns with Solutions

Community concerns about displacement and neighborhood character are important, but they shouldn’t paralyze us. Preserving 17 rent-controlled units at the cost of building 153 affordable units, for example, doesn’t solve the crisis—it perpetuates it.

Similarly, excluding historic zones ignores the fact that these neighborhoods often have the infrastructure and resources to support new developments. Striking a balance between preservation and progress is possible, but it requires leadership willing to prioritize long-term solutions over short-term appeasement.

The Path Forward

To fully realize ED 1’s potential and address the housing crisis, Los Angeles must:

1. Restore ED 1’s Original Intent: Recommit to streamlining affordable housing projects without unnecessary restrictions.

2. Expand ED 1’s Reach: Include mixed-income and market-rate projects to ease pressure on the overall housing market.

3. Proactively Engage Communities: Counter NIMBY resistance with education and transparent communication about the benefits of new housing.

4. Simplify Labor and Design Standards: Maintain worker protections without overburdening projects with added costs and delays.
   

The housing crisis demands bold, decisive leadership. ED 1 was a step in the right direction, but scaling it back sends the wrong message: that Los Angeles is unwilling to take the tough steps needed to fix its housing shortage.

Why This Matters

Housing isn’t just a policy issue—it’s about people. It’s about ensuring families have safe, affordable places to live. It’s about building communities where everyone, regardless of income, can thrive.

Executive Directive 1 proved that progress is possible. Now, we must decide whether to continue that progress or let politics and bureaucracy undo the gains we’ve made.

Los Angeles cannot afford to step backward. It’s time to restore ED 1’s boldness, expand its reach, and show that we’re serious about solving the housing crisis.

What’s your take? How can we balance community concerns with the urgency of the housing crisis? Let’s keep the conversation going.