Richardson-Gonzalez-Andrews-Austin Seek City Mgm't Options For "Local Revenue Measure" -- And Mention Possible Debt Bond -- To Address "Affordable Housing" / "Homelessness"
Agenda item attaches letter signed by housing developers, establishment figures, advocacy groups
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(July 16, 2018, 6:55 p.m.) -- Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, joined by Councilmembers Lena Gonzalez, Dee Andrews and Al Austin, have agendized an item for a special 6 p.m. July 24, 2018 City Council meeting asking city management to bring a future unspecified Council meeting options that could include but aren't limited to a debt bond to fund "housing opportunities for individuals and families experiencing homelessness,"
The agendizing memo mentions a September 25, 2017 city staff reference to a housing debt bond as one way to fund "affordable housing" in Long Beach.
Developers/operators of low income/"affordable" housing are typically subsidized by government agencies/taxpayers, other market-rate tenants/owners, non-profit entities or a combination of these.
The Richardson-Gonzalez-Andrews-Austin agenda item is vague on specifics. "This agenda item is requesting City staff continue to build on the public discussion that has occurred over the past 14 months regarding a specific local revenue measure related to homelessness and affordable housing, and return to the City Council with a recommended strategy for consideration and public debate." It adds: "The fiscal impact of the requested report is existing staff time to create the strategy, assemble the data, and return to the City Council. It is expected that this be done within existing resources at the discretion of the City Manager. The resulting report from City staff will detail any additional fiscal cost or revenue potential."
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The agenda item attaches a July 13 letter addressed to Mayor Garcia, Vice Mayor Richardson and the Long Beach City Council, signed by a collection of twenty housing developers, establishment figures and advocacy groups asking "the city to create a dedicated local funding source to address affordability and solve the problem of homelessness. We can't keep relying on other agencies to address all of the city's priorities. Dedicated local funding, not seen since the demise of redevelopment agencies, will help accelerate the construction of affordable housing units and reduce the number of residents living on the streets." The letter is signed by:
Laura Regus, Senior Vice-President Development, Abode Communities
Christian Ahumada, Executive Director, Clifford Beers Housing
Erin Rank, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity
Rebecca Clark, President/CEO, LINC Housing
Rochelle Mills, CEO, Innovative Housing Opportunities
Brian Ulaszewski, Board Chair, Long Beach Affordable Housing Coalition
Janet McCarthy, President & CEO,Goodwill, SOLAC
Brian D'Andrea, Senior VP Century Housing Corporation
Kasey Burke, President Meta Housing Corporation
Rick Westberg, Executive Vice President, The Richman Group
Steve Colman, Executive Director, Century Villages at Cabrillo
Patricia Costales, Executive Director, The Guidance Center
Dana Trujillo, Chief Investment and Finance Officer, Skid Row Housing Trust
Michael Massie, SenIor Vice Presldent; Finance
Jane Close Conoly, President, CSULB
Brian Ulaszewski, Executive Director, City Fabrick
Tonya Burns, Executive Director, Children Today
Walt Dannenberg, Director, Long Beach VA Healthcare System
Tunua Thrash Ntuk, Executive Director, L1SC Los Angeles
Tyler Monroe, VP Development, Thomas Safran & Associates
A nearly identical letter, likewise addressed to the Mayor and Vice Mayor and also dated July 13, includes typed signatories
The Richardson-Gonzalez-Andrews-Austin agenda item specifically proposes:
Request the City Manager work with the appropriate City departments and the City Attorney's Office to report back at the next available City Council meeting on gaps in prevention, services and housing for individuals and families who are precariously housed or experiencing homelessness, as well as the costs, and opportunities to address these needs. The report should include a recommended funding strategy and implementation timeline for a dedicated local revenue source to address for housing opportunities for
individuals and families experiencing homelessness, as well as early and late prevention strategies and services for those newly homeless and those experiencing chronic homelessness.
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