The Los Angeles City Council voted (12-0) Wednesday, May 10, to approve an ordinance, which will help boost the City’s affordable housing stock at a time when the City is facing a severe housing crisis.

The Unapproved Dwelling Unit (UDU) ordinance will safely permit previously unapproved housing in multi-family units while requiring, in exchange, property owners put an equal amount of affordable units at the same location on the market.

The UDU ordinance was championed by the Planning Department and Councilmember José Huizar, as the Chair of the City’s Planning Committee. Also, it was heard in the City’s Housing Committee with input from the Department of Building & Safety and the Housing & Community Investment Department.