LOS ANGELES—State housing regulators rejected Los Angeles’ blueprint for increased development over the next eight years, telling the city it must re-zone by mid-October to accommodate 255,000 new homes, instead of over the next three years, or risk losing access to affordable housing grants, it was reported Feb. 24. The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved the Housing Element Update 2021–29 on Nov. 24 as a guide that lays the groundwork for nearly 500,000 new housing units by 2029. The update revises the plan adopted in 2013. The Department of Housing and Community Development said the city needs to comply with stricter state laws that are aimed at more development across California, the Los Angeles Times reported. Among the state’s concerns, according to The Los Angeles Times, is that the city hasn’t demonstrated a sufficient strategy to invest in park and economic development in its poorer neighborhoods. City planners said …