Ensure housing and household utility affordability

OurCounty recognizes that access to stable, affordable housing and essential utilities is foundational to community well-being. Consistent housing supports physical and mental health, economic progress, and educational outcomes, while housing insecurity can lead to a cascade of negative outcomes, particularly for more vulnerable groups like children. Housing affordability is also critical to addressing the root causes of homelessness; without it, even the County’s most comprehensive services cannot fully resolve the crisis.

Given the magnitude of the challenges related to housing and homelessness, existing affordable housing must be preserved, and new affordable housing developed in every neighborhood. These priorities must also inform all LA County policies affecting the built environment, including land use and zoning.

At the same time, energy and water must remain affordable as we invest in building upgrades and clean infrastructure. Many LA County households face higher utility burdens because of rising costs and lower incomes, with water rates varying widely across communities and residential electricity costs far higher than the national average. As we make these investments, we must protect our residents from exorbitant utility costs while ensuring everyone can benefit from zero-carbon, resilient energy and water sources.