Friend of CHOA,
God is about keeping people safe, for providing, and showing love, especially those that are vulnerable. Every time I talk with folks in and out of Arcadia, I hear stories of people just trying to keep it together to afford the apartment or home they are in. It is not easy. Many are worried. CHOA works and advocates for more affordable housing in Arcadia, and solutions to allow the unhoused in Arcadia to back into housing. We keep hearing reminders of why it is important.
And of course, prayer is so impactful. I’m so grateful for the 9 members of Hope International Church who came to pray together on Saturday night, on Sept. 14th. What a good time of prayer. We also had a productive discussion afterwards. What a way to make an impact!!
There are changes (as in life) in the CHOA team. We are looking for more team members. No one person in CHOA does it all. We all do our part, and together, as you see, these small efforts can lead to large efforts, and impacts. Let us know if you would like to join the CHOA team.
Our last newsletter had many items. In this newsletter, we are keeping it short, see below what is included here:
- Saturday, Oct. 19th Sharing Gathering from 9:30am to 11:30am: This event is coming up fast. We hold these in-person gatherings so you can hear what is going on and connect with the people that are involved. The people can be City Councilmembers, CHOA members, or just ordinary church lay folks…that walk in the image of God. Read more below, and join us on Saturday morning of Oct. 19th!
- Inclusionary Ordinance update: CHOA is watching closely how City Council defines and hopefully votes for this ordinance. This is mainly the percentage of affordable housing units in newly mixed-use development, and for what income level. Details are below.
Each of us can make an impact on housing in Arcadia.
Peace,
–Mike Veerman
CHOA Team Lead
October 19th Sharing Gathering
We are so grateful for Arcadia Community Church to be hosting this CHOA event for their first time. We try to go to a different church each time. Join us on Saturday morning (9:30am to 11:30am), on October 19th. For 2 hours, you will get a packed time of information, and see the people involved. The topics will mostly be about affordable housing this time around. Come to get an update, or get a first time look regarding housing in Arcadia. What we really like about these in-person gatherings is that you will see first hand the efforts that go in to make an impact. You will meet people involved like City Councilmembers and candidates for the upcoming City Council election on November 5th. You’ll also hear from our CHOA team, reflect on how Scripture motivates us to advocate for our neighbors and the vulnerable around us, and see how others are getting engagedt. It is possible. Key topics are:- Thanking Councilmember April Verlato for 8 years of service to Arcadia, and for all her efforts on housing and homelessness.
- Updates on Inclusionary Ordinance and the Safe Parking Program.
- Updates on the Lucile parcel. As the church is just a block away from the parcel, we will have a “field trip” by walking there to see this first hand, envision housing there, and pray for the possibilities, and pray for this parcel!
Inclusionary Ordinance:
CHOA was hoping to have an update for you by now. Unfortunately, the City Council study session on this topic got moved back from mid-September to Tuesday, October 1st. CHOA will go to that meeting, and give you updates.
The Inclusionary Ordinance is a key part of the Housing Element plan, as it determines the percentage of affordable housing in each new housing development (with more than 30 units.)
Affordable housing is defined by income level. These are taken for the entire LA County, by median income. Median is not the average; it is the middle number in the list. So if we have numbers like 100, 55, 20, 15, and 5, then 20 is the median. For example, this avoids the situation if a few billionaires move into LA County and we take an average income, we all look like millionaires. That is not a good representation of the people’s actual income. The median is the actual middle, and is a more fair assessment.
The chart below is the median income, by household size. Affordable housing incomes are mostly focussed on the Very Low and Low income levels, see the green highlighted rows.
Source: City of Arcadia website (updated May 2024):
https://cms9.revize.com/revize/arcadia/shape/development_services_department/new_page/affordablehousing.php
What we need to be clear about is affordable housing is for those with incomes. These folks have jobs. They are working. Many people mistake affordable housing as free housing for the unhoused. No, that is not right. You qualify for affordable housing per your income. These incomes are not high enough to get a market-rate apartment or a home. These folks need to live in a safe, stable home. The people with these incomes are teachers, waiters, cooks, bus drivers, police officers, firefighters, secretaries, social workers, construction contractors, janitors, and gardeners. Hard working people. These are not scary people; they are our neighbors. (And it helps if they live close to their jobs, for many reasons like quality of life, pride in your community, and for climate change reasons avoiding long commutes.)
From what CHOA has heard last in June, the below are the percentages being proposed to City Council. These proposed percentages are still a draft; nothing has been agreed upon. The study session on October 1st will begin to confirm these percentages. (After the study session, the city still has a process to get this approved by our city’s Planning Commission, and then CIty Council.)
1)9% – Very Low Income
2) 11% – Combo approach
a) 5% Very-low income
b) 6% Low income
3) 14% – Low income
The percentages work like this, for example: if a developer wants to build a new mixed-use development with 300 housing units with the 9% Very low income option, then they have to set aside 27 units for affordable housing. The developer has a choice of one of the 3 options above. Very Low Income units are prioritized, as we need those more, so the percentage is lower for the developer to build, That is why Very Low Income has a lower percentage; the draft plan is to motivate the developer to build units for that income level. Once passed, the ordinance will require affordable housing units to be built in the new housing development.
CHOA is hoping this gets approved for a vote, and gets on the agenda for a vote this calendar year. The reason being is that we have an election coming up, and with new City Councilmembers there is a potential that this does not get voted in by the new City Council. So this is a continued item for prayer.
When we hear that this is coming up for a vote, we need everyone to write emails/letters, or come to the City Council meeting to make a public comment. CHOA thinks 20 emails/letters and 10 public comments will make a good showing, but even more is better!! Here is where you use your voice to directly allow folks to have housing they can afford. We will keep you posted!!