---

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2026/030e3.jpg)

 [ PLANNING WATCH LA ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=398)

#  The Number of Vacant Apartments in LA Will Expand

April 16 2026

Written by Dick Platkin.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

PLANNING WATCH - Even though the press barely covers it, Los Angeles is quickly [losing population](https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/los-angeles-leads-nation-in-massive-population-exodus-as-breaking-point-hits-golden-state/ar-AA1ZUTem). This should free up dwelling units, especially apartments, despite the fallacious claim that homelessness in LA is caused by a housing shortage. If the city relaxes its zoning laws – the claim goes -- developers will respond by building new affordable units. Voila, the free market will solve homeless and overcrowding if cities would just increase permitted density.

What a great theory. Too bad reality doesn’t cooperate for a simple reason. The growing numbers of people sleeping on sidewalks and in cars and store fronts, simply [do not have enough money](https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-09-15/california-tied-with-louisiana-for-highest-u-s-poverty-rate-new-report-says) to rent new or vacant apartments. Furthermore, the plight and numbers of these homeless people will get worse, not better, over time, no matter how much rezoning the Los Angeles City Council adopts at the behest of [free-market advocates posing as progressives](https://yimby.la/).

The reasons why their approach continues to fail is not, however, hard to figure out. Most people are getting poorer, and an [increasing number of them cannot afford to rent](https://www.laprogressive.com/housing-and-homlessness/homelessness-and-overcrowding) available apartments. As for houses, they too are far beyond their ability to pay.

Furthermore, there is nothing new about these developments. According to Jeff Singer, professor of Social Work at the University of Maryland, homelessness has been a consistent feature of life in the United States since the Civil War. We only need to remember that Charlie Chaplin’s famous character, The Little Tramp, dealt with homelessnes in the era before WW1, more than a century ago and 50 years after the end of the Civil War.

![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2026/030e2.jpg)

Where does that leave us? According to the advocates of more permissive zoning codes to alleviate homeless, it is strictly a function of numbers and cost. If we allow real estate developers to build more housing on existing land in Los Angeles and other cities, homelessness will disappear because [it increases the number of low-priced apartments for homeless people](https://yimby.la/yimby-la-news-and-information/los-angeles-housing-report-card-q4-2025/) to rent or houses to buy.

Yet, homelessness continues to rise in Los Angeles despite these repeated claims, and it is not hard to figure out why.

- [Rising economic inequality](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=income+inequality+in+los+angeles&iar=images&t=ffab&iai=https%3A%2F%2Falfred.stlouisfed.org%2Fgraph%2Falfredgraph.png%3Fwidth%3D880%26height%3D440%26id%3D2020RATIO006037) is not just entrenched, but is getting worse because of the [failed US war on Iran](https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/international-relations-security/why-war-iran-so-expensive). As a result, the [real income for most people, especially potential renters, is declining](https://www.bea.gov/data/income-saving/personal-income).
- [Apartment rental prices](https://www.apartments.com/los-angeles-ca/) are rising, and there is a [lack of low-priced apartments](https://www.apartments.com/los-angeles-ca/low-income/?m=3&ssk=jm0dbp5&&msclkid=823a56525d5b1eca03663f8c84c57dc8&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=DSA%20-%20Apartments&utm_term=apartments&utm_content=Search%20Results%20Pages&gclid=823a56525d5b1eca03663f8c84c57dc8&gclsrc=3p.ds&gad_source=7&gad_campaignid=12140371826).
- [Population decline in Los Angeles](https://ktla.com/news/local-news/los-angeles-county-sees-largest-population-decline-in-the-u-s-according-to-census-data/) is well documented.

If we look at overall impact of these trends on most people in the United States, including Los Angeles, it reveals declining real incomes for years to come. Upzoning existing neighborhoods might selectively help a few investors, but it won’t benefit the vast majority of the public. Their standard of living will continue to decline, despite selectively upzoning potential residential properties.

What is good for the goose, in not necessarily good for the gander.

*(**Dick Platkin** (<rhplatkin@gmail.com>) is a retired LA city planner. He reports on local planning issues and is a board member of [United Neighborhoods for Los Angeles](https://www.un4la.com/). Previous columns are available at the [CityWatchLA archives](https://www.citywatchla.com/search?q=Platkin&Search=&w1=before&d1=&w2=before&d2=&t%5B%5D=&t%5B%5D=&t%5B%5D=&t%5B%5D=).)*

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Last Name

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/ed/068d-ed5f9acd.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33261:zuckerberg-may-finally-pay-a-price-for-preying-on-our-children&catid=375)

### [Zuckerberg May Finally Pay a Price for Preying on Our Children](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33261:zuckerberg-may-finally-pay-a-price-for-preying-on-our-children&catid=375)

IN MY VIEW - As a mother of two children who has often been on the losing side of family battles against screen time, I…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/20/070h-20f29015.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

### [Trump World. From Assassination Abroad to Chaos at Home](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - We’re at a moment when all sorts of political questions are coming to a head. And if that old phrase…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4b/070i-4ba64015.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

### [Newsom’s Next Immigration Gamble: Defy Federal Law And Dare Washington To Fight Back](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gov. Gavin Newsom is about to decide whether California should take another extraordinary gamble with fed…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/27/070e-279910b9.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33275:nithya-raman-has-yet-to-address-hasan-pikers-antisemitism-controversy&catid=375)

### [Nithya Raman Has Yet to Address Hasan Piker’s Antisemitism Controversy](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33275:nithya-raman-has-yet-to-address-hasan-pikers-antisemitism-controversy&catid=375)

THE VIEW FROM HERE - While it was outrageous that in May 2026 CD 4 councilmember and mayoral candidate Nithya Raman end…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/88/068h-88c43353.jpeg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33266:california-cant-insure-its-homes-now-sacramento-wants-to-insure-the-trees&catid=385)

### [California Can’t Insure Its Homes. Now Sacramento Wants to Insure the Trees](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33266:california-cant-insure-its-homes-now-sacramento-wants-to-insure-the-trees&catid=385)

INSURANCE EMERGENCY - California homeowners are struggling to find affordable coverage while Sacramento explores a new…

---

##  [ PLANNING WATCH LA ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=398)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/066b.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33238:the-2028-olympics-will-make-las-homeless-and-overcrowding-crises-much-worse&catid=398)### [The 2028 Olympics Will Make LA’s Homeless and Overcrowding Crises Much Worse ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33238:the-2028-olympics-will-make-las-homeless-and-overcrowding-crises-much-worse&catid=398)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/056f.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33045:temperature-increases-are-more-dangerous-than-expensive-gasoline&catid=398)### [Temperature Increases Are More Dangerous Than Expensive Gasoline](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33045:temperature-increases-are-more-dangerous-than-expensive-gasoline&catid=398)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2026/050b.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32927:sb-79-developments-in-los-angeles-another-failing-effort-from-sacramento&catid=398)### [SB 79 developments in Los Angeles: Another failing effort from Sacramento](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32927:sb-79-developments-in-los-angeles-another-failing-effort-from-sacramento&catid=398)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/052i.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32963:sb-1116-starter-home-revitalization-act-another-real-estate-scam&catid=398)### [SB 1116 (Starter Home Revitalization Act): Another Real Estate Scam](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32963:sb-1116-starter-home-revitalization-act-another-real-estate-scam&catid=398)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2026/048j.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32895:the-housing-crisis-is-really-an-affordability-crisis&catid=398)### [The Housing Crisis Is Really an Affordability Crisis](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32895:the-housing-crisis-is-really-an-affordability-crisis&catid=398)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>