Housing report for Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles Affordable Housing Report:
Q1 2023

Last updated on Apr 1, 2023
Housing overview of Los Angeles, CA
13,211,027
population in Los Angeles, CA
6,548,540
workers in Los Angeles, CA
5,135,028
housing units needed
Los Angeles's burgeoning population and dynamic economy have created a significant demand for workforce housing. In this market report, we analyze the current state of the city's housing market, emphasizing the growing need for affordable and immediate housing.

Los Angeles has a housing gap of 473,994 units; new construction is a drop in the bucket

  • Population:Across metro Los Angeles the population has risen to 13,211,027.
  • Workforce:Los Angeles's workforce has grown to 6,548,540, indicating strong economic growth and increasing demand for housing.
  • Housing Unit Demand:To accommodate the population and workforce, Los Angeles requires 5,135,028 housing units.
  • Current Housing Stock:The metro area currently offers 4,661,034 housing units, resulting in a deficit of 473,994 homes.

Los Angeles workers would need to earn an extra 57.09% to afford the median rental

  • Median Rental Price:The median rent for an apartment in Los Angeles is $2,078, highlighting increasing rental prices.
  • Income Needed to Afford a Rental:A tenant needs to make at least $74,808 and pay $4,156 upfront to move-in (first month’s rent and security deposit). Typically, to qualify for a home, a landlord requires 3x rent in income, in addition to credit score minimums and eviction checks. Finally, most apartments charge an application fee.
  • Median Income in Los Angeles:The city's median income is $32,098, demonstrating a significant affordability gap.
  • Affordability Gap:The affordability gap in Los Angeles stands at $42,710. This means that workers need to earn 57.09% more to qualify and afford the median rental in the greater Los Angeles area.

Expanding affordable workforce housing in Los Angeles

So how do we house the growing population of healthcare workers, drivers, technicians, and care workers that make up Los Angeles’s workforce?
Solution 1: Build more housing
Despite the evident need for housing, only 1,772 permits have been issued so far in 2023, indicating a slow response from the market to address this demand. This shortage has led to increased rental prices
Solution 2: Relocate workers farther outside of the city
We believe workers in our community deserve to live in our community. While some may desire to relocate further their place of work, this is not a viable solution for all workers.
Solution 3: Do more with existing housing
We can do more with our existing housing to meet the needs of the metro-area population. There are exciting developments to address housing shortages and affordability challenges by increasing housing density. Some examples include converting single-family into multi-family homes, commercial to residential conversions, housing ADUs, co-living, and shared housing. At PadSplit, we are growing the country’s leading shared housing marketplace.
Sources: Census, Bureau of Labor & Statistics, ApartmentList, PadSplit

Shared Housing is a fast, cost-effective way to scale affordable housing for the workforce

PadSplit was founded five years ago and has grown to become the country’s largest shared housing marketplace. Real estate investors, homeowners, and community partners work with PadSplit to provide affordable, dignified housing to workers.
To learn more, check out the following:
Hosting on PadSplitPadSplit impact reportRooms for rent in Los Angeles