City of West Hollywood Honored with Four Planning Awards

The Los Angeles branch of the American Planning Association has honored the City of West Hollywood with four awards recognizing exceptional planning achievements.

“Recognition by the local chapter of the American Planning Association is a great honor,” said West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman. “We put great effort into our programs, such as housing and aging in place. These initiatives respond to the needs of our residents and help to make West Hollywood an excellent place to live. We appreciate APA LA’s recognition of these important programs.”

The awards were among 23 that were made Thursday night at an event at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Los Angeles. Those made to the City of West Hollywood were

— Communications Initiative Award for the city’s Communications and Community Engagement Strategic Plan. The city developed over two years a plan to provide City Hall staff members and members of the City Council a roadmap to increase effectiveness in communicating and engaging with the community;

— Implementation Award, Small Jurisdiction, for the city’s inclusionary housing program. This award recognized the city for linking residents to information and resources about affordable housing opportunities through its inclusionary housing program and partnership with affordable housing providers;

— Planning Landmark Award for rent control and rent stabilization programs (which also recognized Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and Santa Monica). Not long after WeHo was incorporated more than three decades ago, the City Council adopted a rent stabilization ordinance.; and

— Social Change and Diversity Award for the city’s “Aging in Place/Aging in Community” five-year strategic plan. WeHo launched this plan in 2016 to improve the quality of life and well-being of older adults in the city. The plan is designed with a community-based approach to wellness that would hel[ older adults remain in their homes as they age, supported by a variety of services.

The Los Angeles section of the American Planning Association is one of eight local sections of the APA California Chapter and consists of more than 1,300 members in the Los Angeles County region. Its annual awards recognize the exceptional efforts being carried out by urban planners, advocates, elected officials, and others to make great communities happen.