Build Better LA affordable housing initiative dividing LA residents

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Build Better LA (BBLA) initiative is meant to create more jobs for local union workers and build more affordable housing, but some residents are not on board.

The residents of L.A. that are opposed to BBLA are afraid of eviction. They believe that BBLA will replace their apartments with mega developments.

Elizabeth Blaney of the L.A. Tenants Union said that she does not support the demolition of rent-controlled housing. Initially it sounds very good, but when you look at it, there's all kinds of problems, according to Blaney.

On the other side of the divide, supporters of BBLA said that it really is about creating affordable housing and good jobs for locals.

Supporter Rabeya Sen said that BBLA will stop L.A. developers from building market rate housing without constraints. BBLA will also mandate developers to build housing for extremely low income households and will costs around $24,000 a year for a family of four, according to Sen.

However, opponents like resident Sasha Ali aren't convinced.

"We really do need to address the city's affordable housing crisis, and Build Better LA is not necessarily the answer," Ali said.

L.A. residents will be able to vote on BBLA on the November ballot.