The Low Rise Housing Ideas Competition was launched by the Chief Design Officer in November 2020 and received over 380 entries across four categories: Fourplex; Subdivision; (Re)distribution; and, Corners. The submissions were juried by a select group of experts in architecture, design, planning and community engagement. The innovative housing ideas judged through the competition for first, second and third place finishers across the four categories.  The challenge precipitated a civic conversation in Los Angeles about the evolution of low-rise communities, which was covered in multiple national publications including the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.

Preceding the launch of the Challenge, in Summer and Fall of 2020, the Chief Design Officer led a series of stakeholder listening sessions around controversial topics, key concerns, and opportunities surrounding new development in low-rise communities.