Laura Sturza
BURBANK -- In an effort to address the housing crunch faced by
Burbank's low- to very low-income families, the City Council voted
Tuesday to fund the $791,500 purchase and rehabilitation of a seven-unit
building.
The apartments to be renovated are at 220 W. Tujunga Ave.. The city's
project will not displace the current occupants, said Duane Solomon, the
city's Redevelopment Agency Housing Development manager.
The work is scheduled to begin March 11 and is expected to be complete
by July 18. It is the latest project by the Burbank Housing Corporation,
a nonprofit group that provides affordable housing.
Several affordable housing matters were discussed during Tuesday's
council meeting, including Section 8 housing, a program that disperses
federal funds for rental assistance.
Burbank's Section 8 waiting list is closed, with more than 1,350
Burbank residents awaiting aid, said Linda Simmons, housing
administrator. About 200 spaces open up each year.
Solomon said that the affordable housing shortage is a problem that is
rampant nationwide.
A housing-needs assessment study showed Burbank needs 6,340 very
low-income rental units, but only 1,913 units are available and occupied,
leaving a shortfall of 4,427.
A study prepared by Cotton/Bridges Associates and presented at the
council meeting showed that larger apartments, in particular, are in
short supply.
Along with funding for the apartment rehabilitation, the City Council
also authorized staff to increase loan limits as an incentive to owners
to add bedrooms to units in their buildings.
Several housing-related items will be revisited by the council in
coming months, including consideration of funding the Burbank Housing
Commission for additional low- and very low-income units and a possible
revamping of the mortgage assistance program.
In addition, council members will look at offering owners assistance
in paying off debt in exchange for the owners providing additional
affordable housing units.
Rent control also will be considered at future council meetings.
