A Los Angeles County judge ruled Thursday that the city of Los Angeles violated state law when it blocked the construction of a seven-story affordable apartment complex in the San Fernando Valley. The ruling could have major implications for affordable housing development across the city.
The case revolved around a proposed 360-unit affordable housing project in Winnetka, which the city initially approved through Mayor Karen Bass’s Executive Directive One (ED1), a fast-track affordable housing program launched in 2023. However, the city later blocked the project, citing a change in policy that prohibited such developments in single-family home zones.
Superior Court Judge James Chalfant ruled that the city’s move violated the state’s Housing Accountability Act by retroactively applying new policies to a project already in the approval process. “The city’s attempt to require the project to comply with policies not in effect when the preliminary application was submitted is a violation of the [Housing Accountability Act],” Judge Chalfant wrote.
The conflict began when the city approved more than 15,000 affordable housing units under ED1, which promised speedy approvals in exchange for affordability guarantees. However, in March 2023, the Winnetka project and several others were halted when Mayor Bass revised ED1 to ban fast-tracked approvals in single-family neighborhoods.
Housing advocates, represented by YIMBY Law, sued the city, arguing that it had illegally blocked much-needed housing. “It’s great to hear that the judge sees it the way that we have,” said Angela Tiangco, an attorney with YIMBY Law. “The rights and rules in place when a project is submitted should govern its review.”
This ruling is seen as a victory for housing advocates who argue that Los Angeles needs to streamline affordable housing approvals to meet its growing demand. Developers behind other stalled projects in single-family zones hope the ruling will clear the way for their proposals.
“The ability for housing developers to rely on the rules that are in place when they file an application… is hugely meaningful,” said Dave Rand, attorney for the Winnetka project.
While the ruling is a significant win for affordable housing, more than 1,400 units remain in legal limbo, and the city has not yet commented on whether it will appeal the decision.
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