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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem BAGENDA REPORT DATE: January 28, 2002 TO: Chairperson and Members of the Redevelopment Agency THRU: John B. Bahorski, Executive Director FROM: Lee Whittenberg, Director of Development Services SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION FOR STAFF TO WORK WITH HOUSING PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF LOW - MODERATE INCOME HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN SEAL BEACH SUMMARY OF REOUEST: Authorize the Executive Director and staff to work with housing providers to address the lack of low - moderate income housing opportunities within Seal Beach. On October 22, 2001 the Agency considered a staff report and received a presentation regarding the possibility of working with Mercy House to address the lack of low - moderate income housing opportunities within Seal Beach. As the Agency is aware, Mercy House is still actively pursuing several opportunities within the community. City staff have been contacted by other persons and organizations that also wish to explore opportunities and develop relationships with the Redevelopment Agency in regards to the utilization of the Agency "housing set - aside" funds as a financing mechanism to encourage the provision and retention of low- moderate income housing within the City. As indicated in a City Council Staff Report of January 14, 2002 (also on the Agency Agenda this evening): "As of June 30, 2002, the Redevelopment Agency Housing Set -Aside Fund will have the following excess fund amounts that will be subject to the 50% additional excess surplus amount provisions of Section 33334.12(a)(2): o Surfside Project Area: $174,000.00 ❑ River Redevelopment Project Area: $ 360.000.00 POP Agenda Item 13 C:Wy Docu nU\RDAU w -Mod Housing PaMicipetion .RDA Staff Re dAwTW01 -23 -02 Authorization for Staff to work with Housing Providers to Address the Lack ofLow-Moderate Income Housing Opportunities Redevelopment Agency Staff Report January 28, 2002 Total Excess Housing Set -Aside Funds $ 534, 000.00 If these excess surplus funds are not spent or encumbered by June 30, 2002, the Agency will then be required to allocate a minimum amount of $267,000 in fiscal year 2002 -2003 from other Agency revenues to the Housing Set -Aside Fund for use in increasing or improving the supply of low- and moderate- income housing within the community.. Further, the Agency does not have unallocated funds sufficient to provide the potential additional funding of $267,000. In this case, those funds would have to be provided by the City from the General Fund as a loan to the Agency. This would have a significant effect on the programs and services that are funded by the General Fund." Approval of the staff request will allow the Agency Executive Director and other City staff to work with various other persons and organizations that also wish to explore opportunities and develop relationships with the Redevelopment Agency in regards to the utilization of the Agency "housing set - aside" funds as a financing mechanism to encourage the provision and retention of low - moderate income housing within the City. Given the above - stated concerns, it is very important that the City staff be allowed the opportunity to discuss various projects for potential participation by the Agency in a timely manner. Several recent contacts with housing providers have focused on the possible private acquisition of existing apartment buildings within the City, and the Agency providing second trust deeds at either reduced or zero interest rates to rehabilitate the units and rent to low - moderate income persons and families. The assisted units would then be restricted to certain rental rates to ensure occupancy by the target income population groups. Provided below for the information of the Agency are the current income limits for Orange County that define very low, lower, median, and moderate income: Number of Persons In Family Income Limits Very Low Lower Median Moderate Income Income Income Income 1 25,800 36,750 51,600 61,900 2 29,500 42,000 58,950 70,750 3 33,150 47,250 66,350 79,600 4 36,850 52,500 73,700 88,450 5 39,800 56,700 79,600 95,550 6 42,750 60,900 85,500 102,600 7 45,700 65,100 91,400 109,700 8 48,650 69,300 97,300 116,750 Low -Mod Housing Paaiciparion.RDA Stan Re ft J Authorization for Staff to work with Housing Providers to Address the Lack ofLow-Moderate Income Housing Opportunities Redevelopment Agency StafReport January 28, 2002 It is the strong belief of City staff that many existing residents within the community, particularly those residing within multiple family apartment developments fall within the lower and moderate income levels, as can be seen by the above income level information. If that is in fact the case, then in the large majority of cases, the existing residents would continue to live within their upgraded living units and not be required to spend more than certain specified amounts of their income on rent. This could result in existing lower and moderate income persons and families being able to stay at their existing residence, which has upgraded and remodeled, and having potentially more available discretionary income. FISCAL IMPACT: None at this time. Staff resources would be allocated to meet and negotiate with potential housing providers regarding specific project proposals. Any formal commitment of Agency funds would require formal approval and authorization by the Agency. RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the Executive Director and staff to work with housing providers to address the lack of low- moderate income housing opportunities within Seal Beach. NOTED AND APPROVED: e Whittenberg B. Bahmsld, City Mara v Director of Development Services Low -Mod Housing Nnidpation.RDA SmRRepon