Positive First Steps for Affordable Housing in Culver City

Assemblymember Holly Mitchell joined Mayor Andy Weissman and a well-rounded panel of housing developers (Los Angeles Housing Partnership and Habitat for Humanity), investors (Bank of America and Union Bank), and other leading advocates at the Culver City Council Chambers at last week’s Affordable Housing Roundtable. The first such event hosted in Culver City generated a lively discussion with local residents and community leaders contributing great questions and possible solutions to financial and legislative roadblocks.

Topics included creative ways for replacing funds for the $8 million in annual investment lost with the dissolution of Redevelopment Agencies, project versus tenant based Section 8 vouchers, and parcel size, density, and parking restrictions as major hindrances to large scale development. The panelists and participating residents were optimistic about the future of affordable housing in Culver City, with current developments such as Tilden Terrace, Globe Avenue, and Irving Place paving the way for more robust investments.

“We are looking to legislators to recreate a vehicle to help support affordable housing,” said Mayor Andy Weissman in addressing ways to offset the loss of redevelopment dollars. Given the energy and commitment on display at the event, projects such as Del Rey Square in development just down the street from the City Hall may be a real possibility for Culver City veterans, seniors, and other low-income residents.

Learn how you can help support affordable housing with the California Homes and Jobs Act.

Read more about the Roundtable in Kelly Hartog’s post on the Culver City Patch, which contains a link to a PDF summary of current affordable projects in Culver City.