6 SIgNAL TRIBuNE
cOMMuNITY
MARcH 2, 2012
Three affordable-housing developments receive $25.8 million in renovations Ninth District Councilmember Steven Neal, The Long Beach Housing Development Company (LBHDC) and developer/property manager Abode Communities have announced $25.8 million in renovations to Evergreen Apartments– three affordable-housing developments with a total of 81 units throughout the city of Long Beach. While the growing disparity between household incomes and housing costs leave a demanding need for housing that working people can afford, both Abode Communities and LBHDC continue their work in advocating and supporting
the new construction and renovation of quality, affordable homes that promote safe and livable neighborhoods. “Thanks to LBHDC and Abode Communities, these properties will not only receive a much needed facelift, but will provide secure housing for families while offering residents valuable services,” Neal said. “Through our public-private partnerships we do make significant efforts to improve living conditions for families and provide affordable housing units for Long Beach residents,” said 4th District Councilmember Patrick O’ Donnell.
The sites – The Palm, The Sage and The Jasmine– are located at 1801 E. 68th St., 1823 E. 68th St. and 1528 N. Freeman Ave., respectively. The properties, originally owned by The Long Beach Housing Development Company, were purchased by Abode Communities in 1999. The major renovation effort will include two new tot lots, new roofs, new landscaping, building façade improvements, new apartment interiors, and high-efficiency mechanical and plumbing. Most notably, two sites will feature expanded and modernized community rooms, and
first-ever ‘People’s State of the city’ address draws full house at local church
Nick Diamantides/Signal Tribune
Former Long Beach 7th District Councilmember Tonia Reyes Uranga spoke to a full house at the first-ever “People’s State of the City” address hosted by Antioch Church at 1535 Gundry Ave. on Wednesday night. The event focused on poverty in Long Beach and what can be done to improve the lives of people who are barely able to pay their rent and put food on the table. “Some people in this city will never have to work two jobs to make ends meet, or worry about filing for bankruptcy, or going for public subsidy just to get health insurance for their children,” Reyes Uranga told the audience. “Yet those of us who do have to worry about such things have never before in the history of this city been under attack. Working families and immigrants have been portrayed as the culprits and blamed for the bad economy, yet we are not responsible for the greed of the corporations.” Next week, the Signal Tribune will publish an article with more information about the event.
Courtesy City of LB
From left, Annette Billingsley, Union Bank; Robin Hughes, president and CEO of Abode Communities; 9th District Councilmember Steven Neal; and Pat Wong, board member representative for The Long Beach Housing Development Company and Abode Communities during a groundbreaking ceremony for The Evergreen Apartments on Tuesday, Feb. 28.
Abode Communities will provide essential basic services to residents at little or no cost. “We’re excited to bring Abode Communities’ value-added services to these residential communities,” said Robin Hughes, president of Abode Communities. “By repositioning these properties, we are able to enhance our physical asset, extend the affordability of the apartments and bring onsite services to the residents.” Resident services will include after-school programs; computer training; resource and referrals to healthcare, job training and adulteducation programs; employment preparation and assistance; financial education; educational workshops; and community outreach events. Extending the long-term affordability of these properties for a term
of 55 years, Evergreen Apartments’ mission is to create safe, healthy and viable neighborhoods. Nearly 180 residents are currently living at the sites, with each household earning between $27,518 and $30,862 or 50 percent to 60 percent of the area median income. The project was financed through a combination of Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity provided by U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation, a subsidiary of U.S. Bank; construction and permanent loans from Union Bank; tax-exempt bonds issued by California Municipal Finance Authority; HOME Investment Partnership Program funds obtained through The Long Beach Housing Development Company; and a private developer loan to Abode Communities.
gabelich to host event for public input, information Eighth District Councilmember Rae Gabelich will host a “Coffee and Conversation” event on Saturday, March 10, from 10am to noon at El Avila’s El Ranchito restaurant, 5345 Long Beach Blvd. The public is invited to attend and learn about new projects and events that are taking place in the 8th district and throughout the city. Attendees will also have the opportunity to voice their concerns and suggestions affecting their neighborhoods. For more information, call (562) 570-6685 or email district8@longbeach.gov.