TITLE
Recommendation to request for authorization to open the Housing Authority Waiting List for American Gold Star Manor. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
American Gold Star Manor, a Project-Based Voucher (PBV) development, is an affordable housing complex which was originally designed and developed for American Gold Star Mothers (mothers whos children were killed while on active duty). It is located in a secure, 23-acre park-like setting on the west side of Long Beach at 3021 Goldstar Drive, and has been a long-term partner in helping to prevent veteran homelessness in Long Beach.
The original structure was established in 1957 as the American Gold Star Home and was incorporated as a charitable, non-profit corporation. In 1973, it became necessary to replace the old buildings, which constituted the American Gold Star Home. The current complex, American Gold Star Manor, consisting of nine three-story buildings and one two-story building with a total of 348 units, was funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). That funding contract has expired and new funding, also provided through HUD, has been provided through Tenant Protection Vouchers (TPV) administered by the Housing Authority.
All eligible tenants have been process and lease agreements are being finalized. Therefore, there is now a need to open a waiting list to establish a pool of new applicants to fill available units. This waiting list will give preference to long beach veterans, Gold Star Mothers and parents of long beach veterans who were killed on active duty, and widows of long beach veterans. Once opened, the waiting list will remain open until a request is made to close it.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Vu on November 18, 2015, and by Assistant Finance Director Lea Eriksen on November 19, 2015.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
Housing Authority Commission action is requested on December 8, 2015 in order to open the waiting list as soon as possible in order to...
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