Boosting Apartment Affordability by Reducing Parking

By Michael Bohn, Studio One Eleven

As Southern California continues to grow, so does a deeper issue – affordable housing. By far, one of the most expensive aspects related to affordable housing is parking. One way to reduce this burden is to reduce parking requirements. This, in turn, can make affordable housing more attainable.

As designers, we are working with developers to reduce parking requirements. Approximately eight years ago, we were involved in the design of the Long Beach Senior Arts Colony, creating one half-stall-per-unit parking to reduce parking needs. We are applying lessons learned from this development to other projects throughout Southern California. Our plans for proposed artist housing developments, from San Diego to Santa Ana, led to a 32% parking reduction.

Such reductions are also possible with student housing projects, as long as designs are carefully integrated into transit, bike and walking facilities. Reducing parking space helps make student housing competitive and affordable.

As an example, we are designing housing for California State University, Long Beach, which is currently in need of an additional 3,000 beds. The project is a 22-story student housing tower with 865 beds, a university art museum, innovation hub and 20 classrooms in downtown Long Beach. The housing will be affordable for the students, because it is next to a public parking structure. Those who live in the residences will be paying less per bed, because they won’t have to absorb the higher costs that come with on-site parking.

On a personal note, my son is in his freshman year at college. He is required to live on campus, and bringing a car is not an option. This is just fine with him — and my wallet.

Michael Bohn is a Senior Principal and Design Director with Studio One Eleven, a firm dedicated to creating more vibrant and healthy cities.

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