$169.1 Billion Needed to Preserve the Nation's Public Housing Portfolio

10 Year Roadmap for Public Housing Sustainability Released

November 5, 2025 – The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) is proud to support the 10 Year Roadmap for Public Housing Sustainability, which has just launched its Interim Report and estimate of the cost to preserve the nation’s public housing portfolio.

Public housing has provided stability and opportunity for millions for nearly a century. For Los Angeles County, the LACDA owns 2,962 units of public housing across 63 sites Countywide. Yet decades of disinvestment, aging infrastructure, and escalating construction costs now threaten this vital program. To preserve the nation’s public housing portfolio, we first need to understand the scope of what is needed to recapitalize it.

The Roadmap, convened by the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, developed a groundbreaking national estimate: the baseline cost to preserve the nation’s public housing portfolio in 2025 dollars is $169.1 billion nationwide.  Locally, the LACDA currently faces a capital backlog of $160 million for County public housing.

This estimate comes at a pivotal moment. Congress recently passed the largest expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) in history, expected to finance more than 1.2 million affordable homes in the next decade. Expanding LIHTC access for public housing preservation —alongside additional financing tools — is essential to prevent further loss of deeply affordable homes.

Public housing has long served as a critical source of stability for low-income households, and emerging research and practitioner experiences suggest it may also contribute to improved health outcomes, educational attainment, and economic mobility. Recapitalizing the public housing portfolio with updated infrastructure, better design, and enhanced energy efficiency has the potential to increase these benefits.

Public housing is a vital component of our nation’s social safety net and has provided stability and opportunity to millions for nearly a century — yet decades of disinvestment, aging infrastructure, and escalating construction costs have increased the costs to preserve the public housing program. Fortunately, proven strategies like expanding LIHTC already offer a path to preserving public housing.  Broadening the coalition to include voices beyond traditional housing advocates can spark transformative ideas. With a reliable and rigorous preservation cost estimate now established, this moment calls for action.
“The LACDA strives to provide its public housing residents a safe and healthy living environment that promotes individual achievement, empowerment, and pride,” said Emilio Salas, LACDA Executive Director. “Continuous reductions or underfunding of capital resources have imposed limitations on our property management abilities that are ultimately to the detriment of the residents we serve.”

The LACDA serves as the second largest public housing agency in Southern California and receives funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to maintain and manage public and affordable housing located throughout Los Angeles County. The agency receives approximately $9 million annually in Capital Funds to rehabilitate and modernize its public housing units. Capital Fund modernization activities include, but are not limited to, elevator modernization, parking lot and sidewalk repair/replacement, rehabilitation of kitchens and bathrooms, flooring replacement, painting, plumbing, accessibility upgrades, and roof replacement.

About the 10 Year Roadmap for Public Housing Sustainability
The 10 Year Roadmap for Public Housing Sustainability is a broad coalition of stakeholders who came together to advance the continued evolution and preservation of public housing through a 10-year reinvestment plan that establishes a sustainable, affordable, and service-enriched housing platform for residents to achieve their life goals.

To learn more about the LACDA’s Public Housing Program, click here.