Judge Halts Construction in Beverly Hills Until City Meets Affordable Housing Projections

(LOS ANGELES) — Construction permits are being issued on a provisional basis in Beverly Hills following a decision by a judge halting permits until the city’s affordable housing situation has been addressed.

Judge Curtis A. Kin of the Los Angeles Superior Court established a permit moratorium for all Beverly Hills construction other than new housing developments as punishment for the city’s failure to meet affordable housing projections, the LA Times reported. 

The decision raises concerns among locals regarding their luxe remodels and the potential forthcoming changes to the wealthy enclave. Local leaders are attempting to appeal the shocking decision.

While Los Angeles’ population has continued to rise consistently, new construction has failed to keep pace, especially affordable housing. The Beverly Hills ruling is one in a series of recent attempts to boost housing density in the famously sprawling county.

Beverly Hills resident Veronica Smith, co-founder of LA-based architecture and design studio Found Projects, worries about the future of the workforce engaged in home construction. “Halting construction impacts these people’s jobs who simply rely on this money.” Despite concerns about job security, she said, “There is a definite need to regulate the housing market and provide low-income housing which this city is lacking”.

Los Angeles has seen a dramatic change to its skyline in recent years, with housing developments like ROW DTLA, The Figueroa Eight, The Medici, and others in progress. Despite being touted as a welcome solution to LA’s affordable housing crisis, many of these newer buildings lease 450-square-foot studio units starting at around $2,000 per their websites.

This is the second decision Kin has handed down in three months halting development. In November, Lin ruled in favor of New Home Company’s proposed Calabasas housing development. The decision made way for 180 housing units complete with its own shopping center, much to the dismay of the local community and government, according to local Calabasas paper, The Acorn. With this recent decision in Beverly Hills, local developers may have an advantage over single-family homeowners when it comes to breaking ground on new projects.