My Latin American immigrant parents could not understand how homelessness could exist in the richest state in the richest country in the world. I tend to agree. The humanitarian crisis on our streets must be resolved compassionately and quickly; and it is a cruel symptom of a deeper illness: unattainable housing costs. Housing, like almost any material good, is subject to supply and demand – but scarcity is good for business, so scarcity persists. This zero-sum thinking pits the basic need for housing against landowners’ pocketbooks, with predictable results.

Most Angelenos agree that the city needs more infill, particularly affordable, multifamily housing, but owners of detached single-family homes don’t want it anywhere near them. And while the debate rages, housing costs are pushing more Angelenos onto the streets. Fortunately, there is a simple answer: add a massive supply of housing. And no neighborhood is better suited, geographically or politically, than downtown Los Angeles.

DTLA is different. Downtown residents want more neighbors – hopefully from all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Downtown residents want more density, a pedestrian-oriented urban lifestyle that doesn’t require a car. This is why we choose to live our lives, invest our money, and raise our families in DTLA. City leaders recognize that DTLA is critical to solving the housing supply crisis and last year adopted the DTLA 2040 plan, which places the lion’s share of residential capacity and housing growth entire city in DTLA. This makes sense: DTLA is the region’s largest hub of jobs, educational, civic and cultural institutions, and the heart of our regional transit system. It’s a good plan – now we have to implement it.

City leaders will soon review the Fourth and Central project. Between Little Tokyo, Skid Row and the Arts District, Fourth and Central lies a wish list of what downtown residents tell us they want more of. It replaces a warehouse with 1,521 residential units including 949 apartments (214 of which are affordable) and 572 condominiums. Condos are important because they encourage long-term investment and will be more affordable than equivalent freestanding homes, easing development pressure in surrounding neighborhoods. The project also includes 2 acres of desperately needed publicly accessible open space. Fourth and Central is more than just a development: it’s an entirely new neighborhood designed around walkability and social connection, serving as a model for what tall, dense, sustainable development can look like in Los Angeles.