L.A. is all about numbers

Re “L.A. climbs past 4 million,” May 2

An accurate statement would be that despite the fact that L.A.’s population grew by 37,658 last year, only 10,239 new housing units were constructed. That shortage is the primary reason that the cost of housing continues to skyrocket well beyond the means of teachers, firefighters, blue-collar workers and others who make valuable contributions to our community.

The California State Firefighters Assn., California Federation of Teachers, Cal-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers and others support a state Housing Affordability Act. This measure requires cities to identify land and zone it appropriately to meet housing needs. When population increases and not enough homes are built, prices go up, and that’s what prevents folks from achieving the dream of homeownership.

SCOTT MACDONALD

Communications director

Housing Affordability Act

Coalition

Los Angeles

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So what if the population of the city of Los Angeles has gone beyond 4 million? What if you add in Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel and so on? The crowding in the area is a matter of the much larger population of the county and even the adjacent counties -- the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. What’s the population of that? I’d find that a lot more interesting.

ERIC STONE

Los Angeles