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A sketchy look at a Craigslist.com version of Culver Villas.
Although 2,600 applications – by persons hungry to live in Culver City – were filed for the two latest affordable housing projects, 33 at Tilden Terrace and 28 at Culver Villas, certain future residents did not have to rely on something as rickety as longshot luck.
The second number, 28 at Culver Villas, is inaccurate.
Even before the lottery was decided, a dozen units were crossed off. They were ordered set aside for special people who have been shrewd enough to go to work for two of Culver City’s highest-profiled employers, City Hall and the School District.
Five of those 12 lucky persons either have said or will say, “I work for the School District.”
That is the ticket.
Presto.
They will be presented with shiny new digs on Irving Place, across from the School District headquarters.
Three other persons will declare, “I work for City Hall.”
You know the drill.
Presto.
They will be awarded three of the handsomest units at Culver Villas.
The justification is that certain elements at City Hall believe it is beneficial to stock this project with a significant number of occupants who work in Culver City.
Where Do You Work?
If that is the test, why not establish set-asides for employees of an automotive garage?
Selected restaurants?
Popular gas stations?
As for the remaining three units of the 12 set-asides, it is said that their new owners still are being decided.
Occupants of Tilden Terrace’s units are reported set.
This leaves 1,200 singles or families scrambling for the last 16 technically vacant units at Culver Villas, priced between $3,800 and a hefty $4,875 a month, according to craigslist.com
Is this a fair distribution of city resources when crowds of slender-income renters are rattled from rate increases and almost desperate to find an alternative?
Enthusiastically yes, say persons at City Hall.
“It is important,” one source told the newspaper this afternoon, “to look at this housing arrangement in context, not in isolation.
“This planning is part of a larger process. It is methodical. It covers a lot of bases.
“If you are just looking at one aspect, you would think this is unfair. It involves the concept known as workforce housing, part of the overall Strategic Housing Element.
“Tilden Terrace, for example,” said the source, “does not have that priority of workforce housing, which is popular in affordable housing.
“I understand why people would criticize it,” said the gentleman from City Hall. “But the concept of fairness, that really does exist, is hard to understand when you take a single piece out of context.”
(To be continued)
