City reports record housing activity in 2024 but public comment flags affordable shortfall

City planning staff presented the 2024 General Plan Implementation Report to the council on June 10, highlighting record activity on three housing metrics: planning entitlements, housing starts (building permits) and certificates of occupancy.

Director Christopher Coontz told council there were 1,788 entitlements approved last year, 1,704 housing starts and 1,204 certificates of occupancy — figures staff described as record performance for Long Beach. Staff also reported the city continues to lead regionally on accessory dwelling unit (ADU) production and is advancing multiple zoning updates and neighborhood planning efforts (North Long Beach, Central Long Beach, Bixby Knolls and downtown plan updates).

Councilmembers praised the work but noted the city must continue to accelerate affordable‑housing production. A public commenter raised RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Allocation) shortfalls and argued Long Beach’s current production of deeply affordable units is far below the pace needed to meet state RHNA targets, suggesting the city consider additional strategies including acquisition and adaptive reuse of existing buildings and private operators for small City‑owned portfolios.

Staff emphasized the city’s role is to set the planning framework and incentives; construction timelines and financing for affordable housing involve multiple partners and funding sources. Coontz and staff asked the council to consider continued policy tools — including inclusionary zoning and density incentives — to increase affordable unit production.