Housing criteria changed again

Barbara Diamond

Three of the five previously approved tenant criteria for the

Glenneyre Street affordable housing project were tossed out Tuesday

by the City Council on the advice of legal counsel.

The council voted unanimously to discard preference points for

seniors, Laguna Beach residents, and those who had previously lived

in Laguna but moved because of high rents.

“I agree with all five, but if legal counsel advises they are not

legal, I would support their removal,” said Councilman Steve

Dicterow, an attorney.

The county, which helped fund the affordable housing project

objected to the preferences given by the council to current or

previous city residents because of conflicts with the funding sources

and to seniors because senior preference is only permitted in

all-senior projects, according to California law.

Senior preference was a last-minute addition to the criteria by

Dicterow at the Sept. 2 council meeting and was opposed by the city’s

Housing and Human Affairs Committee, which had lobbied for affordable

housing for the “working poor.”

Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson, who was once employed by Laguna

Beach Seniors Inc., said seniors feel the committee thinks they have

enough housing in town.

“I just want the committee to give them equal time,” Pearson said.

Pat Barry, director of the city’s Community Services Department,

said seniors are eligible as tenants, but they will not get preferred

status.

Names are being accepted for an “interest list.”

Eligibility is now based only on income, employment in Laguna

Beach for a minimum of 25 hours a week and residents who were

displaced by a city-sponsored project.

Incomes for eligible tenants must be below 40% of the county

median, adjusted annually.

“That equates [this year] roughly to $10 or $11 an hour,” said Bill Witte, principal of Related Cos., developers of the project.

Laguna Canyon resident Christopher Nelson asked to what extent the

finances of prospective tenants are investigated.

“Could someone sell a house for $700,000 and invest the funds

off-shore and still move in?” Nelson asked.

Tenants are investigated and leases are signed under penalty of

perjury, Witte said.

“I don’t think anyone can say that no one lies, but things are

investigated,” Witte told the council.

Rents for the 400-square-foot studios will be from $489 to $529 a

month.