LOS ANGELES—The Build Better L.A. coalition is holding a protest this morning to gain attention for the dearth of affordable housing in Los Angeles and to promote Proposition JJJ, which is on the ballot in November and would require developers to include affordable units in every new multifamily development. The rally is at the Medici Apartments in Downtown Los Angeles, a luxury building owned by GH Palmer Associates. This is the latest move in an ongoing development battle between Los Angeles residents and developers that has fueled the growth of these organizations.

“The Build Better L.A. Coalition aims to send a message that L.A. doesn't need anymore luxury developments that push people out of the City, but instead needs a more inclusive solution through Proposition JJJ,” Rusty Hicks, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO and convener of Build Better L.A., tells GlobeSt.com.

The coalition pinpointed the GH Palmer property because they say it is the essence of the housing and development issues that, in their opinion, the city is facing. “Palmer is the City's most infamous opponent to affordable housing in the City of L.A., and Proposition JJJ aims to do just the opposite,” says Hicks. “Palmer's company, GH Palmer Associates, owns 10,400 rental units in Southern California, together worth over $3 billion, but almost none are affordable to ordinary Angelenos.” GH Palmer could not be reached for a comment on the protest.

If passed, the proposition would require that any housing development that is an exemption to the master plan—which at this point is every development—or that receive discretionary zoning changes will be required to include a specified percentage of affordable hosing units for low-income residents. The proposition also includes a local hire provision as well.

The acrimony over development in Los Angeles is an effect of the city's highly sought-after growth. Build Better L.A. is just one group that is pushing for restrictions on developers. The Neighborhood Integrity Initiative is another group that is trying to prohibit all exemptions to the current master plan. Today's rally is a reminder that there is another side to the often-praised development growth, and that it is pushing for accountability for these projects.

LOS ANGELES—The Build Better L.A. coalition is holding a protest this morning to gain attention for the dearth of affordable housing in Los Angeles and to promote Proposition JJJ, which is on the ballot in November and would require developers to include affordable units in every new multifamily development. The rally is at the Medici Apartments in Downtown Los Angeles, a luxury building owned by GH Palmer Associates. This is the latest move in an ongoing development battle between Los Angeles residents and developers that has fueled the growth of these organizations.

“The Build Better L.A. Coalition aims to send a message that L.A. doesn't need anymore luxury developments that push people out of the City, but instead needs a more inclusive solution through Proposition JJJ,” Rusty Hicks, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO and convener of Build Better L.A., tells GlobeSt.com.

The coalition pinpointed the GH Palmer property because they say it is the essence of the housing and development issues that, in their opinion, the city is facing. “Palmer is the City's most infamous opponent to affordable housing in the City of L.A., and Proposition JJJ aims to do just the opposite,” says Hicks. “Palmer's company, GH Palmer Associates, owns 10,400 rental units in Southern California, together worth over $3 billion, but almost none are affordable to ordinary Angelenos.” GH Palmer could not be reached for a comment on the protest.

If passed, the proposition would require that any housing development that is an exemption to the master plan—which at this point is every development—or that receive discretionary zoning changes will be required to include a specified percentage of affordable hosing units for low-income residents. The proposition also includes a local hire provision as well.

The acrimony over development in Los Angeles is an effect of the city's highly sought-after growth. Build Better L.A. is just one group that is pushing for restrictions on developers. The Neighborhood Integrity Initiative is another group that is trying to prohibit all exemptions to the current master plan. Today's rally is a reminder that there is another side to the often-praised development growth, and that it is pushing for accountability for these projects.