Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Which Way, L.A.?

    Which Way, L.A.?

    Affordable Housing and Southern California's Middle Class

    The median income in Southern California is around $55,000; a so-called "affordable" house for a family of three or four making that much money is $175,000. In the nation's hottest real estate market, moderate incomes--including those of cops, firefighters and teachers--just aren't enough to buy middle-class homes close to work. That means lower standards of living or long hours on the freeway. What's being done to make cities "sustainable?" Will new families have to lower their expectations about where they live? We hear from architect and city planners who are trying to help create affordable urban housing.Making News: Governor, Dems Run Out of Time on Infrastructure Bond MeasureThe last day for the legislature to put a massive public-works bond on the June ballot supposedly was Friday, but the legislature spent Saturday trying--and failing--to do it. Today, Governor Schwarzenegger today asked for a last-ditch effort. Dan Walters is a columnist for the Sacramento Bee.

    • rss
    • Share
    By Warren Olney • Mar 13, 2006 • 30m Listen

    The median income in Southern California is around $55,000; a so-called "affordable" house for a family of three or four making that much money is $175,000. In the nation's hottest real estate market, moderate incomes--including those of cops, firefighters and teachers--just aren't enough to buy middle-class homes close to work. That means lower standards of living or long hours on the freeway. What's being done to make cities "sustainable?" Will new families have to lower their expectations about where they live? We hear from architect and city planners who are trying to help create affordable urban housing.

    • Making News:

      Governor, Dems Run Out of Time on Infrastructure Bond Measure

      The last day for the legislature to put a massive public-works bond on the June ballot supposedly was Friday, but the legislature spent Saturday trying--and failing--to do it. Today, Governor Schwarzenegger today asked for a last-ditch effort. Dan Walters is a columnist for the Sacramento Bee.

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Frances Anderton

      architecture critic and author

      News
    Back to Which Way, L.A.?