Let Us Build a Smarter Los Angeles, Starting with Our Own Backyard

By Barri Worth Girvan

Across the West San Fernando Valley, families feel the squeeze of rising housing prices more acutely than ever. Once-affordable neighborhoods now seem out of reach for teachers, healthcare workers, and public servants—the backbone of our community. The dream of homeownership, or even stable, reasonably priced rental housing, is slipping away as costs climb and available units dwindle. This crisis is not merely economics; it threatens the fabric of our neighborhoods, uprooting families and disconnecting communities. We must reimagine how we use our land and resources, with imagination and resolve to build a more inclusive future.

Los Angeles’ housing crisis is not for lack of space—it is often due to a failure of imagination and collective will. The familiar narrative that there isn’t enough room for new housing prevents us from recognizing opportunities throughout our city. Vacant lots, neglected public buildings, and underused municipal spaces are not signs of scarcity, but untapped potential. While hardworking families are priced out of the neighborhoods they helped build, land sits idle because we have not yet mustered the vision to reimagine our surroundings.

Some of the most promising prospects lie in land owned by the City, State, County, and Los Angeles Unified School District. Public land represents a trust—a resource to serve community needs. When we convert a closed LADWP facility or revive a vacant municipal parcel, we do more than balance budgets; we restore dignity and purpose to our neighborhoods.

Imagine a shuttered campus transformed into the centerpiece of a revitalized neighborhood, or an under-utilized government warehouse repurposed into mixed use housing with new, desirable apartments combined with a locally-owned market. Larger tracts of underused municipal property can become homes clustered around a library or a park for community gatherings and green spaces where children play. These ideas aren’t far-fetched. They are practical, respectful of our history, and attuned to our future needs.

The right vision for development in Los Angeles centers on supporting working families and ensuring core services are available close to home. To that end, prioritizing middle-class workforce housing on unused government land is essential.

By integrating homes with green spaces, libraries, and vital public services, we can create safe, clean neighborhoods we can enjoy that nourish wellbeing and foster genuine connection. To unlock this potential, City Hall must embrace smart policies and institutional accountability. We cannot tolerate hesitation and neglect.

No Angeleno should be forced to traverse the region simply to find an affordable place to live or relocate altogether. We must commit to building a city where those who educate our children, care for our sick, and keep our streets safe can call Los Angeles home.

Addressing soaring housing costs starts with vision, and a promise to use every resource at our disposal to create a city that works for everyone.