MAY 24, 2019
HOME OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, WE HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR OUR COUNTRY
Picture Credit: Lance Cpl. Dalton S. Swanbeck via the United States Marines
--SPECIAL EDITION NEWSLETTER--
ENCOURAGE CREATIVE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
As the building industry struggles to meet our population’s housing needs, the lack of adequate residential development sites has stymied housing production efforts and increased development process time, costs and uncertainty as developers are forced to pursue zone and plan amendment changes to accommodate housing. Many parcels of land have essentially been taken off the market for residential development due to downzoning and other restrictive zoning policies.
In addition, many landowners have higher moneymaking, non-residential development uses on their land that could potentially be used for residential but are not willing to sell at prices low enough to make housing projects feasible; this makes residential developable land even scarcer. We offer solutions to these issues in our Housing Emergency Response Kit (HERK) page, “ Encourage Creative Housing Opportunities ”.
Click here for HERK web page
Click here for Encourage Creative Housing Opportunities page
TODAY'S TESTIMONIAL
DEREK LEAVITT, MODATIVE
"As many of us have experienced on our projects, hang ups from utility companies can add schedule delays, budget constraints, and unwelcome stress. We recently had a particularly rough month with a few projects experiencing challenging utility delays. Fortunately, BIA-LAV made all the difference in getting us “unstuck”. BIA-LAV's relationships put us in touch with the right people and got our projects moving forward in a matter of days. I’m ever thankful to have this resource available to get us through the toughest of challenges." 

--Derek Leavitt, Founder & Principal, Modative and BIA-LAV Board President

Learn more about BIA-LAV's Utility Partnership solutions from BIA-LAV's HERK here .
HOUSING SPOTLIGHT: PROJECT PREVIEW
Hadley Trails features a collection of 32 homes compromised of 8 single-family homes and 24 townhomes in the family-friendly town of Whittier, CA. Floorplans will range from approximately 1,551 sq. ft. – 2,014 sq. ft. and up to 4 bedrooms. The new community includes a tot lot and multiple picnic area amenities. Centrally located, Hadley Trails provides ease of access to employment centers in both Orange and Los Angeles Counties via Highways 5 and 605. Hadley Trails will be open for sale soon! Join the interest list to be the first to learn about our sales events. Learn more here .

Learn more about BIA-LAV's Encourage Creative Housing Opportunities HERK page here .
ADVOCACY IN ACTION
BIA-LAV TALKS AFFORDABLE HOUSING CREATION WITH LA CITY CONTROLLER’S OFFICE
BIA-LAV sat down with LA City Controller Ron Galperin’s Office to discuss our Housing Emergency Response Kit (HERK ) . The Controller is known for his meticulous data-driven reports , of which his office has produced several on the topics of development fees and affordable housing, or ancillary topics such as land availability. In 2016, Galperin released PropertyPanel.LA , an interactive, searchable map of the extensive real-estate portfolio owned by the city of LA, recognizing that City-owned properties could be repurposed for affordable housing. Our HERK on “ Encourag[ing] Creative Housing Opportunities ” recommends that Local & State government entities should not only sell/lease their surplus land for the development of affordable housing, but also take it one step further by eliminating or easing zoning restrictions on them. We appreciate the Controller’s advocacy for sensible, financially-feasible development of affordable housing.
EVENT NOTICE: LA COUNTY "OUR COUNTY" SUSTAINABILITY PLAN COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED IN SANTA CLARITA VALLEY
The Los Angeles County " Our County” Draft Sustainability Plan " comments are due today, Friday, May 24th. The Santa Clarita Valley received an extension for public comment due to lack of engagement from the Chief Sustainability Office. The area will receive a presentation on the Draft Plan on Thursday May 30th. View the Event Flyer here .

EVENT INFORMATION
WHEN: Thursday, May 30, 2019 
WHERE: The Centre
(20880 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350)
TIME: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Over the last several months BIA has been engaged on this issue, attending “Our County” events and hosted two meetings with the Chief Sustainability Officer. In late April, the Los Angeles County Sustainability Office released their Draft Sustainability Plan titled "OurCounty". Read BIA-LAV's Comment Letter here .
NEWSWORTHY
California’s big housing bill tanked. Newsom is partly to blame.
( LA Times )
"Portantino issued a statement indicating he thought the state should offer local governments “incentives” — presumably money — to speed up homebuilding. Meanwhile, the homebuilding industry is impatient and perplexed. “Government is telling us to build inside cities,” Dunmoyer says, “but they’re killing legislation that makes it easier to build inside cities. That’s schizophrenia…."
Walters: This move by politicians reveals why California can’t fix its housing crisis ( Mercury News )

Open Forum: How do we solve our housing crisis in California? ( SF Chronicle )
MEMBER OF THE MOMENT
Today we are highlighting, Guaranteed Rate! It's a simple formula that has made Guaranteed Rate one of the most trusted mortgage providers in the U.S. -- Low, low rates and the ultimate in technology, service and advice. Guaranteed Rate provides customers with an Intuitive Loan Finder, the World’s First Digital Mortgage and easy-to-use GR Mobile App. They are committed to providing personal service and making the process as seamless, friendly and financially valuable as possible. Learn more here .
REBATE FOR BUILDING INDUSTRY
Southern Californians can now get $2 for every square foot of thirsty grass they replace with more water efficient sustainable landscaping, up to $10,000. Metropolitan Water District of Southern California launched its new turf replacement program in April, doubling its rebate and approving other changes to make it easier to participate. For more information and to apply, visit bewaterwise.com .  
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