Friend of CHOA,
There is so much going on with housing in Arcadia. There is an effort to match how you like to be engaged: advocacy, serving, or just providing funds.
We are also going to need letter writing and emailing this month to the County, AND in June to Arcadia CIty Council. Let’s take some time to write what we think. Speaking/writing makes a difference. Our elected officials do listen. When we speak, it makes an impact for housing to be built right here in Arcadia.
From Scripture, Isaiah Chapter One makes a large impression on me. What does the prophet Isaiah say about the relationship between worship/solemn assemblies, how God listens to prayer, and working on justice/compassion/mercy efforts? (Read the entire chapter as a review.) When God calms down in this chapter, Isaiah concludes in verse 17:
“learn to do good;
seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow.
That is our role now. Defending/pleading for those that are vulnerable…with housing. There are so many that are struggling with housing. We speak calmly, clearly, constructively, and in a loving way, but we want to get our point across.
Here is what is in this newsletter:
- Recap the Sharing Session on April 20th, at Hills Church. 29 folks were there. Foothill Unity Center had many staff members there. We had churches learning about the Safe Parking Program, as we prepare to start in 2025. Mayor April Verlato and City Councilmember Eileen Wang were there, to learn, show their support, and explain viewpoints from City Council.
- We will meet with City Councilmember Paul Cheng in mid-May. Join in if you can. This is our last meeting with our 5th City Councilmember, and right before the Inclusionary Ordinance comes to a vote before City Council in the next few months.
- CHOA has an URGENT request for everyone to send letters and emails to the County, and specifically to Supervisor Kathryn Barger. The City of Arcadia granted the property on Lucille to the County. The property is a half an acre, and we would like to see that the County produce Affordable Housing on it. Read below for details. We need you to write the County to ensure that the property is only sold for the production of Affordable Housing!
As you can see, many housing efforts going on, right here in Arcadia, right now. Do continue to pray as well. We want God’s will to be done…on earth…and in particular in this piece of land we call Arcadia.
Peace,
–Mike Veerman
CHOA Team Lead
Recapping the CHOA Sharing Session on April 20th
The main topic of this gathering was the Safe Parking Program. We heard from Foothill Unity Center and Trinity Lutheran Church, on how they ran their Safe Parking Program for 2 years in Pasadena. We even heard from a parker that went through this program, and got housing. The Safe Parking Program is for those living in their vehicles, and want to transition to being housed. A host church will offer their parking lot. Other churches can help with the funding, as well as bring “the love of God”: food, smiles, and community. If you, your group, and/or your church are interested in partnering, just reply to this email. We plan to start in 2025.
Foothill Unity Center will be the Program Manager of the Safe Parking Program in Arcadia, vetting who joins the program, providing case management, and making sure the whole program follows the rules, for everyone’s benefit. Foothill Unity Center is a strong and trusted partner in this effort, as they have so much experience caring for the unhoused in our region.
If you like to review the slides, handout, as well as the videos, use the below link. (Contact us for the password). Let us know if you have any questions on any of the material.
CHOA’s April 20th event recap web page
Mayor April Verlato and City Councilmember Eileen Wang joined us as well. Mayor Verlato has done so much to find housing solutions in Arcadia. She has been to all 5 of our CHOA events, speaking at all of them. She attended again at this gathering and gave her perspective on housing in Arcadia, mentioning the Homelessness Symposium in February which she spearheaded, emphasizing that we need all solutions to help reduce homelessness regionally. She also talked about the Lucile parcel project in Arcadia for affordable housing, which we emphasize in the last section below.
We thank Hills Church and Pastor Walter for hosting our Sharing Session again. Their campus and Fellowship room is very welcoming, and pleasant.
29 folks attended (see the picture below), representing 8 Arcadia churches, see the list below:
- Arcadia Christian Baptist Church
- Arcadia Congregational United Church of Christ
- Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
- Foothill Neighborhood Church
- Hills Church
- Holy Angels
- Church of the Good Shepherd (United Methodist)
- Santa Anita Church
Of course, CHOA gave updates on the Housing Element, bringing more Housing and Affordable Housing to Arcadia. We reviewed the Rezoing that was passed unanimously with a 5-0 vote by City Council in February, and the Inclusionary Ordinance vote coming up in the next few months, see the section below for more details.
Lastly, there was Mountain View News article written about the gathering and the information presented, see the link below if you like to review another perspective.
Meeting with City Councilmember Paul Cheng in May
CHOA and supporters have met with 4 of our 5 City Councilmembers, and expressed the reasons why we want to see affordable housing be built in Arcadia. We will meet with City Councilmember Paul Cheng in mid-May. Let us know if you like to join in. Just reply to this email, or contact us in the link below.
Contact CHOA
And you probably already saw the City of Arcadia showcasing the Derby development in the recent Spring newsletter, see the link below.
Arcadia Spring Newsletter featuring the Derby mixed-used project
This Derby mixed-use project is being built before the Inclusionary Ordinance is passed. There is no affordable housing unit percentage requirement at this time. So they can build 4% affordable units in their development. That’s 9 senior affordable housing units out of 216 units. Arcadia needs to reach 1,000 affordable housing units, and at this rate (percentage), we will not be getting close to that goal of 1,000+ affordable housing units in Arcadia.
And to be clear, affordable housing is for those with incomes; these are folks that are working…they have jobs. This is not free housing. These affordable housing units are most likely apartments and are designated for folks who are working hard, but have low income. These are housekeepers, janitors, waiters, fast food workers in the “very low” income category (about $40,000 annual income). Teachers, policemen, firemen, contractors, social workers, and secretaries are in the “low” income category (about $70,000 annual income.)
So to recall, the next crucial vote is coming soon. This is the Inclusionary Ordinance. CHOA will join in on the study session – moved back to early June – to learn about the details. The city has hired at consultant group to make an economic study of what percentage is right for Arcadia (and for future developers) to build 1,000 affordable housing units. Mind you, Pasadena has been at 20% for nearly 2 years. For Arcadia, this is a pivotal decision. Again, there are 2 parts:
First, what percentage will the city set for affordable housing in each new development? This will be a new requirement city-wide for developers.
Second, if the developer does not want to build affordable units, our city may use an “in lieu” fee, for the developers to pay. What rate will this in lieu fee be? The idea is, the funds from all the in lieu fees accumulate until the city has enough funds to build a development that only includes affordable housing units.
Once CHOA learns all the details, we will share those with you, and if it looks good, we will urge you to write letters and email City Council to vote to pass it. We like to see 20 emails/letters go to City Council. We can do this!! This is how more housing and affordable housing can come to Arcadia. We will keep you posted!!
Lucile parcel for Affordable Housing
We need your help to write letters and emails to LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger to ensure the Lucile parcel (address is 15-19 Lucile Street, Arcadia) be used only for the development of Affordable Housing! This is a new effort for CHOA.
Here’s the background story:
The City of Arcadia acquired this parcel through the Redevelopment program previously funded through the State of California, which subsequently ended. (See the picture below to see where this parcel is in Arcadia. It is close to the Santa Anita Avenue and Duarte Road intersection.) This was ear-marked for Affordable Housing units only. The City disposed of the property by grant to the County at no cost.
We have been informed that, recently, the City of Arcadia urged the County to move on this parcel, to get an Affordable Housing Developer. Only one developer responded….San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity. As you know, Habitat has an amazing track record of building affordable housing for first-time homeowners, keeping costs low, using volunteers. With Habitat working on affordable housing in Arcadia, many churches and volunteers in and around Arcadia would have a first-hand opportunity to build and connect with affordable housing. The plan was for Habitat to acquire the parcel at no cost.
Here’s the rub. Recent changes in code allows the county to dispose of this property to the highest bidder for any purpose. Our goal is that the County grant the property at no cost for the development of Affordable Housing.
CHOA wants Affordable Housing here in Arcadia. We need our voice to be heard. We agree that the granting of the property to Habitat for Humanity would allow the property to be utilized for affordable housing through homeownership opportunities for first-time homebuyers.
Regionally, we need to spread affordable housing in all parts of the County, not just the less wealthy areas. Additionally, it is good for Arcadia to have affordable housing, and for the Arcadia residents to see it get built, and help build it. It helps us to connect with affordable housing better, and to understand it better.
Please join us to communicate these views by writing to Supervisor Kathryn Barger. Email her at kathryn@bos.lacounty.gov.
Or write her a letter at the below address:
869 Kenneth Hahn
Hall of Administration
500 W. Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 9001
Here is another opportunity to use advocacy, to directly allow affordable housing to be built in Arcadia. We can speak for affordable housing to be built in Arcadia!
