Santa Monica, Developers, Affordable rental units, and who really gets to rent those units (Nice: low income, 2013)

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

The article talks about how developers were allowed to build larger buildings in Santa Monica in exchange for renting a number of units out as low income. Turns out that no one was watching to see if that took place. In one example a building that was supposed to rent the 1st floor for $1,200 a month to families that qualified, those units were being rented out for $2,000 a month to families that were not low income.

In Santa Monica, affordable-housing rental agreements are often not enforced - latimes.com

[Chichappens]

This happens a lot in NYC...HIGH END developers one of which Donald Trump get grants low interest loans and other funding IF they do a 80/20 agreement...80 percent of the people rent at market 20 percent for low or middle income...VERY SELDOM is the rule followed and IF so its not a Fair lottery or fair application process...meaning people pay someone off to get one of the lower income apts...

[Cheektowaga_Chester]

Santa Monica is bracing for a growth spurt - latimes.com

[Cinema Cat]

I don't think Santa Monicans benefit from the low rental units, because anyone from anywhere can apply for the lottery, not just Santa Monicans.

So Santa Monica is actually importing low income people into the city. Why?

To maintain a large voter base for the ruling Santa Monicans For Renters Rights political coalition, which almost always manages to get its candidates elected to local office.

[Dunbar42]

Originally Posted by Cinema Cat

I don't think Santa Monicans benefit from the low rental units, because anyone from anywhere can apply for the lottery, not just Santa Monicans. So Santa Monica is actually importing low income people into the city. Why?

I believe the "affordable" housing is actually of the income restricted variety. Meaning you can't make more than a certain amount of money in order to qualify for it. Here's an example of an income restricted unit. As you can see on their site they have about 20 large rental properties in Santa Monica alone.

Olympic Studio Lofts | NMS Apartments

Moderate: For 1 person your income may not exceed $59,800.00 for the current and previous year. For 2 people the combined income may not exceed $68,400.00 for the current and previous year. Our maximum occupancy rate is 2 people.

Low: For 1 person your income may not exceed $35,880 for the current and previous year. For 2 people the combined income may not exceed $41,040 for the current and previous year. Our maximum occupancy rate is 2 people. Our maximum occupancy rate is 2 people.

[jm1982]

I see the OP's thread is old, but I'm not surprised that the rules are not being followed. It seems like it would be really difficult to track or account for something like that.

Meanwhile the developers get tax subsidies at taxpayer expense. Nice.

Interesting article about Santa Monica...change is definitely coming.

I agree with the 90 yr old resident that didn't buy the argument of density encouraging people to 'throw away their cars'.

Also i can see how she would be frustrated with everything going 'upscale' and having this highend/upscale retail places replaces replacing the long time places.

On the other hand this change is long overdue and perhaps people are realizing that antigrowth might not be the best thing and it makes sense that the future subway would bring change and that the city would want to take advantage of this.

[Dunbar42]

I live in Santa Monica and there's already a building boom of sorts in the downtown area between Colorado and Wilshire. I personally wouldn't want to live around there (expensive, noisy and horrible traffic.) There's also some big apartment/condo buildings going up along Ocean Ave by Pico.

[jm1982]

Do they tell you the monthly rental rates for a low or moderate income person?

Originally Posted by Dunbar42

I believe the "affordable" housing is actually of the income restricted variety. Meaning you can't make more than a certain amount of money in order to qualify for it. Here's an example of an income restricted unit. As you can see on their site they have about 20 large rental properties in Santa Monica alone.

Olympic Studio Lofts | NMS Apartments

Moderate: For 1 person your income may not exceed $59,800.00 for the current and previous year. For 2 people the combined income may not exceed $68,400.00 for the current and previous year. Our maximum occupancy rate is 2 people.

Low: For 1 person your income may not exceed $35,880 for the current and previous year. For 2 people the combined income may not exceed $41,040 for the current and previous year. Our maximum occupancy rate is 2 people. Our maximum occupancy rate is 2 people.

[Dunbar42]

Originally Posted by jm1982

Do they tell you the monthly rental rates for a low or moderate income person?

Yes, for moderate income it's $1495/mo. I believe for low income residents it's $1200/mo which I don't think is very "affordable" for someone making under $36k/yr. Seems like it's rife for abuse if you have a low income on paper. Like your parents pay your bills or you work in a profession that "deals in cash."

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by Dunbar42

Yes, for moderate income it's $1495/mo. I believe for low income residents it's $1200/mo which I don't think is very "affordable" for someone making under $36k/yr. Seems like it's rife for abuse if you have a low income on paper. Like your parents pay your bills or you work in a profession that "deals in cash."

Yeah the $1495 isn't too bad if you are making in the 50s..but $1200 making under 36k is a bit high..

I definitely agree that I could see a lot of people claiming lower amounts to get lower rent.

It's hard to track stuff like family payments via Paypal, check or cash.

This is why I don't really agree with these types of programs.