The Rent Stabilization Division works to promote equity and inclusion through access to housing and opportunity. Programs overseen by the Division maintain existing affordability in the housing market, require affordable housing in new development, create new housing in partnership with affordable housing providers, and connect residents to services and support to extend independent living.

Programs Administered by the Division Include:

• Fair administration of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO)
• Affordable requirements for new residential development (Inclusionary Zoning Requirements)
• Loans for new housing development for those in greatest need
• Special studies and initiatives to expand housing affordability

2020 Community Conversations on Housing

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS ON HOUSING

In February, the City hosted 2 conversations on Housing in the community to engage residents, renters, property owners, non-profits and others on housing policy and programs.

Since 2012, the City has been hosting community conversations as a way for residents, renters, property owners, non-profits and others to engage on housing policy and programs. Input received at the meetings is used when designing the City’s housing programs. The events are free and all are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be provided. Each meeting presents the same information. For more information, please visit www.weho.org/housing or contact (323) 848-6450.

Couldn't make it to the community conversations? See the presentation that was shared this year here:

Housing Presentation 2020 

For more information, contact the Rent Stabilization Division at (323) 848-6450.

• Housing Policies and Programs
  The City's adopted Housing Element includes policies and programs for meeting the community's housing needs. The City sets its housing policies every eight years following California's Housing Planning Cycle. The current State Housing Planning Cycle is from 2013 - 2021.
• Inclusionary Housing
  New multi-unit residential projects must provide inclusionary housing either onsite or pay a fee in-lieu.
• Affordable Housing
  The City partners with non-profit housing developers, providing low interest loans for the development of affordable housing.
• The Urban Design + Architecture Studio
  This division of the City Manager’s Department collaborates with the Rent Stabilization and Housing Division on a variety of projects. The Urban Design + Architecture Studio promotes the connection between people and places in order to engage the community and agency partners in their exploration of citywide design potential and opportunities. 

The 2016 report provides a summary of housing market trends, ongoing City housing programs, and upcoming initiatives aimed at maintaining and expanding housing affordability in West Hollywood.

View Report 

Mobile Friendly Version

Rent Stabilization Program

• Since 1985, the City's Rent Stabilization Ordinance has provided rent increase limits and tenant protections in a majority of housing in West Hollywood. 
• In 2018, there are 16,707 rental units registered in the Rent Stabilization Program. Of this total, 15,461 apartments were rented and subject to the program's annual rent increase cap and minimum maintenance requirements. The remaining 1,622 units were owner occupied

Information For Tenants

Information For Property Owners

Affordable Housing Achieved in New Residential Development

• 214 new units for moderate, and lower income households were produced from 2014 - 2016, primarily along commercial boulevards with almost no displacement of existing tenants. 
• Not included in the 2016 report, but importantly, all moderate and lower income households facing Ellis Act displacement were offered affordable housing through the inclusionary program.

Lower and Moderate Income Rental Housing Interest List

---

Affordable Housing Fees

• Most new residential development paid the City's Affordable Housing In-Lieu Fee. Fifty-four percent of new residential projects in 2016 were market-rate 2-10 unit condominiums paying the In-Lieu fee. These projects did not use the state housing bonus and did not provide onsite affordable units. In-lieu fees are held in the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund and used to provide loans to non-profit housing providers constructing new affordable buildings. (Currently, 75% of new multi-unit projects under review will pay the In-lieu fee, rather than provide affordable units)

---

Partnerships with Non-Profit Housing Providers

• The newest affordable housing building in West Hollywood is underway. In 2016, construction began on Blue Hibiscus, the latest housing project by the West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation (WHCHC). The City of West Hollywood provided $2 million from the City's Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The City’s loan was used by WHCHC to secure over $7.2 million in additional tax credit financing from the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (CTCAC), making it possible to construct the project.

---

Special Studies and Initiatives

• Special studies and initiatives to promote housing affordability and tenant protections are underway:

• Analysis of how to best utilize newly created county and state affordable housing funding sources, 
• Study of achieving affordability through new or innovative financing strategies,
• Exploring a possible program providing tenants the first right to make an offer if their property owner plans

Contact Us