Take Action: Protect Affordable Housing in Los Angeles from the All-Electric Mandate
At Strategic Growth Real Estate, we are dedicated to keeping you informed about the policies and decisions that impact your properties, your tenants, and the housing market in Los Angeles. The latest proposal being considered by the L.A. City Council is a clear threat to affordable housing and the sustainability of our housing market. We believe it’s critical to share what’s at stake and how you can take action.
The Issue: L.A.’s Proposed All-Electric Mandate
The L.A. City Council is set to vote on a policy that would ban gas appliances in multifamily buildings, forcing housing providers to convert to all-electric systems. While this might sound like a step toward sustainability, the reality is that this mandate would place an insurmountable financial burden on housing providers, especially those managing older buildings.
What This Means for Property Owners
Most rental properties in Los Angeles are older and were not built to handle the electrical demands of modern, all-electric appliances. To comply with this mandate, housing providers would need to:
Upgrade electrical panels and wiring, costing tens of thousands of dollars per building.
Replace functioning gas appliances with electric ones, adding further expenses.
Cover the cost of temporarily relocating tenants during renovations, as required under the Tenant Protection Ordinance.
For many housing providers, these costs would be impossible to absorb. The result? Many properties could become economically unsustainable, forcing owners to sell, demolish, or remove units from the market. This isn’t just a problem for landlords—it’s a problem for renters, who could face displacement, higher rents, and fewer affordable housing options.
The Bigger Picture: How This Affects Affordable Housing
The housing market in L.A. is already stretched to its limits. Affordable units are disappearing faster than they’re being replaced. This mandate threatens to accelerate that trend by driving older, affordable units off the market. Here’s what could happen if this passes:
Massive Displacement: Renters in affordable units may face eviction due to Ellis Act sales or demolition of economically unviable properties.
Worsening Homelessness Crisis: Displaced renters, particularly those with limited resources, could find themselves without viable housing options.
Higher Utility Costs: Electric appliances are not only expensive to install but also come with higher monthly utility bills, further burdening renters and owners alike.
Unreliable Infrastructure: Even as we write this, power outages are affecting thousands of properties across Southern California. The promise of stable electricity remains far from a reality.
What We’re Doing at SGRE
At Strategic Growth Real Estate, we are not standing idly by. Our team is actively working to:
Raise Awareness: Through blog posts like this, social media campaigns, and direct outreach, we’re making sure housing providers and tenants understand the stakes.
Encourage Advocacy: We’re urging all of our clients, colleagues, and community members to contact the L.A. City Council to oppose this harmful mandate.
Provide Support: For our clients, we’re here to answer questions, connect you with resources, and guide you through the advocacy process.
How You Can Take Action
Your voice matters. Here’s what you can do today:
Contact the L.A. City Council Members: Let them know how this policy would harm affordable housing and exacerbate the city’s housing crisis. Be clear, direct, and firm in your opposition. [Include contact information for council members]
Spread the Word: Share this blog post, discuss the issue with others in your network, and help us build a coalition of informed advocates.
Stay Informed: Follow our blog and social media channels for updates on this issue and other policies affecting housing in L.A.
We’re in This Together
As someone who is deeply invested in both real estate and the future of our city, I understand how important it is to strike a balance between sustainability and affordability. At SGRE, our mission is to protect the housing that makes L.A. a place where people from all walks of life can live, work, and thrive.
Let’s work together to stop the All-Electric Mandate and ensure that affordable housing remains a cornerstone of our community.
For more updates and actionable advice, stay tuned to the SGRE blog and follow us on social media.
- Strategic Growth Real Estate
Sources