What is the fuss about ULA, the measure Los Angeles city voters approved in 2022? The debate over its impact may be more hotly contested today than it was when it was on the ballot.

Measure ULA, dubbed “the mansion tax" by supporters, imposes a transfer tax on property sales above approximately $5 million. Funds go toward affordable housing production and homelessness prevention programs in the city. It's supporters say it is boosting production of affordable housing and keeping tenants housed, reducing homelessness. Detractors say it has had minimal impact on affordable housing, and is chilling production of affordable and market-rate housing, and putting a drag on the economy.

A conversation about Measure ULA is a conversation about housing, about affordability, about homelessness prevention, about finance and taxation, about real estate market forces, and about the finer details of government regulation. And that is what Mike discusses this week with Joe Donlin of United House LA, a champion of ULA, and Mott Smith, co-author a study critiquing ULA.

UCLA Lewis Center Study: Unintended Consequences of Measure ULA

Rebuttal: Major Research Flaws Undermine Authors' Bold Claims: Unpacking the Debate on Measure ULA

What has Measure ULA Done So Far? (Shelterforce)

How LA's transfer tax cost schools and local government $25 million (CA YIMBY)

Lawmakers seek to overhaul LA mansion tax (LA Times)

Mayor Bass withdraws her bill to overhaul LA mansion tax (LA Times)

United to House LA website: https://unitedtohousela.com/

Council of Infill Builders: https://www.councilofinfillbuilders.org/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.