UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies

Los Angeles County is experiencing a worsening housing affordability crisis, with 46.8% of renters classified as housing cost-burdened and median home prices increasing by over 40% since 2020. These pressures have contributed to rising homelessness, with 65,312 unhoused individuals counted in 2024. Concurrently, both the County and the City of Los Angeles are falling short of their Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) targets, underscoring a persistent supply-demand imbalance. However, the County’s expanding transportation system—funded through Measures R and M—presents an opportunity to advance Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) as a tool for addressing housing, equity, and climate goals. TOD not only facilitates affordable housing near high-quality transit but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and supports mobility for low-income communities. LA Metro’s existing Joint Development Program, which aims to deliver 10,000 housing units across 20 transit sites, offers a successful model that can be expanded. This report proposes a formal Joint Development Policy for Los Angeles County that leverages the County’s land use, zoning, and permitting powers to foster TOD and equitable housing outcomes. Central to this framework is a three-tier parcel prioritization system that ranks County-owned parcels based on TOD feasibility, infill development potential, location in dense or mixed-use neighborhoods, and presence in historically underserved Equity Focus Communities (EFCs). This report outlines strategies to streamline development, deliver community benefits, and produce affordable housing through a coordinated, equity-centered Joint Development approach aligned with regional transit and planning investments.