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$2.5 million loan to affordable housing developer places low-income renters into debt

by Lynda Carson (tenantsrule [at] yahoo.com)
East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC), one of Oakland's largest non profit housing developers, places low-income renters at risk of high rents or displacement by borrowing $2.5 million to renovate the 21 unit building they reside in!

$2.5 million loan to affordable housing developer places low-income renters into debt

EBALDC serves low-income tenants bogus renovation notices on 2 occaisions

By Lynda Carson -- March 17, 2011

Oakland -- During the past 14 months, low-income residents at an East Oakland residential building were served 2 different notices listing a number of major renovations that were scheduled to be done in their building, that never materialized.

Since the 2 notices of renovations were served to the residents in the last 14 months, the low-income renters have not received a followup notice from the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC), indicating why the renovations have not taken place as scheduled.

In another development regarding the situation, according to the City of Oakland, to date the necessary required permits have not been obtained by the non profit developer for any of the work that was scheduled to be done in the 21 unit building at 829 E. 19th St.

Bogus Renovation Notices Served To The Low-Income Residents

In Brief: After the low-income renters were served bogus notices twice during the past 14 months stating that renovations were to occur at their 21 unit building and in their apartments, it turned out that none of the renovations ever took place, and in the latest development the lack of permits cause concern and confusion for the residents in the building.

Melissa Jenkins of EBALDC has her name prominently featured on a recent Feb. 3, 2011 notice to the residents, called Notice of Planned Repairs and Improvements, and was not available for comment.

In the Feb. 3 notice, Jenkins claimed that the renovations were scheduled to begin during the week of Feb. 28, 2011, but as it turned out the renovations did not begin. Jenkins, EBALDC and any contractors that may be involved, failed to obtain the necessary permits before scheduling the work to be done in the building with the residents at 829 E. 19th St. Jenkins is the Compliance and Administrative Manager for EBALDC.

An earlier bogus notice dated Nov. 23, 2009, called Notice of Planned Repairs and Improvements, was also served to the residents of 829 E. 19th St., stating that renovations were to begin during Jan. 2010.

None of renovations were done at the building, and no permits were obtained by EBALDC or any contractors, to do any of the work that was listed in the Nov. 23, 2009 bogus notice. Additionally, the tenants did not receive any followup notices stating why the renovations did not take place, or why no permits were obtained.

According to the City of Oakland, the last time someone applied for a permit for 829 E. 19th St., was during 2010 when a tenant sought a permit to work out of their apartment. In 2008 a permit was applied for, for work to be done on some exterior stairs, and in 2006 someone applied for a permit to have some electrical work done at the building.

Opposition To Loans For Renovations In Oakland's Low-Income Housing Projects

Low-income renters have appeared at numerous meetings in Oakland during the past few years, to speak out in opposition to around $10 million in loans being offered to non profit housing organizations for their renovation projects, that may be displacing people from their housing.

These renovation projects include the Drachma House, Effie's House, Eldridge Gonaway Commons, Marin Way Court, Oaks Hotel Project, Hugh Taylor House, Slim Jenkins Court, and Posada De Colores Apartments.

A petition with over 500 signatures was turned over to Oakland's City Council on Mar. 31, 2009, demanding that non profit developers could only use the loans for their renovation projects, and that none of the money could be used for their employees. The City Council rejected the tenant's demands.

At the same Oakland City Council meeting, attorney John Murcko stated, "The only way we can properly maintain and save low-income housing projects in Oakland, is for the City of Oakland to take over management of all the low-income housing projects."

Murcko was the attorney defending the tenants at the California Hotel facing illegal evictions from their housing after Oakland Community Housing Inc (OCHI), went broke and illegally tried to evict 100s of tenants from their various properties including the California Hotel, while OCHI threatened to cut off the power and water at the historic hotel during 2008.

Presently, EBALDC has set it sights on taking over ownership of the California Hotel, even though it was in a partnership with OCHI and the City of Oakland in 2008, in the scheme to displace the residents of the California Hotel. EBALDC had an agreement with OCHI and the City of Oakland to take over management of the historic hotel, once OCHI had managed to force the low-income renters out of their housing.

During March of 2009, during two Oakland City Council meetings a number of low-income tenants and housing activists spoke out against giving any large loans to non profit housing developers for their renovation projects, fearing that the projects would result in displacement and higher rents for the low-income renters.

At that point, EBALDC sought a loan of around $1.25 million from the City of Oakland for the proposed renovation project at 829 E. 19th St.

Since then, a year later, on March 16, 2010, Oakland's City Council voted to award the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) an additional loan totaling $2,517,000 to renovate the same 21 unit residential building at 829 E. 19th St.

The over $2.5 million loan to EBALDC to renovate a building mostly filled with low-income renters, places the tenants at risk of higher rents or displacement in the future, because of the extra burden of paying off the high mortgage payments for such a huge loan.

Out of the $2.5 million loan to renovate the 21 unit building at 829 E. 19th St., EBALDC will be skimming as much as $105,000 from the loan in what they are calling developers fees. The loan agreement allows EBALDC to grab as much as $5,000 per unit in developers fees from the loan, totaling $105,000 that EBALDC is allowed to take from this project.

In 1997, EBALDC payed around $461,000 for the 21 unit building at 829 E. 19th. St., and according to the Alameda County Tax Assessor's Office the total taxable value for the property is currently around $581,908.

Lynda Carson may be reached at tenantsrule [at] yahoo.com

Note: Lynda Carson is a resident of 829 E. 19th St.

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List of non profits skimming funds from Oakland Renovation Projects

Listed below are just a few developments and residential renovation projects involving so-called non profit housing developers that the City of Oakland approved loans to during March of 2010, that result in higher rents being charged per unit in their buildings, and results in the displacement of many low-income renters from their housing.

You can see the names of some of the same so-called non profit housing developers over and over again that have been awarded huge loans from the City of Oakland, that result in the low-income renters being saddled with huge debts, in order to pay off the loans at each project.

Additionally, for each renovation project that takes place in the residential buildings listed below, the non profit developers are skimming $5,000 per unit from the loans being awarded by the City of Oakland per project, in what is called developers fees.

They call it developers fees. For each renovation project listed below, the non profit developers are skimming as much as up to $150,000 from each loan per project, that is being awarded to each of the renovation projects listed below.

Some non profit developers have multiple renovation projects occurring at the same time, and are skimming huge amounts of money from the loans, in what are known as developers fees.

The low-income renters in each project have to pay off the loans, including the additional cost of the developers fees that are being grabbed from the loans, by the so-called non profit housing developers.

Most of the projects listed below house low-income residents in Oakland, and with so many renovation projects occurring at the same time many low-income renters are being displaced, or are soon to face displacement..

See list below...


March of 2010

4 Subject: Affordable Housing Activities
From: Community And Economic Development Agency
Recommendation: Adopt The Following Pieces Of Legislation:

1) A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 81110 C.M.S. To Approve An Assignment
Of An Existing Loan In The Amount of $5,815,000 By New Altenheim Partners, LP To
Eden Housing Or Its Affiliate, And To Increase The Amount Of An Affordable Housing
Development Loan To Eden Housing For The Altenheim Phase II Senior Housing
Development Located At 1720 Macarthur Boulevard By $625,000 For A Total City Loan
Of $6,440,000; And
(09-1174)

2) A Resolution Authorizing A Rehabilitation Loan In An Amount Not To Exceed
$840,000 To Resources for Community Development For The Drachma Housing Project
Located At 1428 8th Street; 1510 9th Street; 1711 Goss Street; 1030 Wood Street; 1479
12th Street; 1107 Center Street; 1503 12th Street, And Authorizing Loan Extensions
And/Or Changes In The Terms For Existing City Loans For The Project; And
(09-1174-1)

3) A Resolution Authorizing An Affordable Housing Development Loan In An Amount
Not To Exceed $2,500,000 To Affordable Housing Associates For The Jefferson Oaks
Apartments Project Located At 1424 Jefferson Street, And Authorizing Changes In
Terms For Previous City Loans For The Project Known As The Oaks Hotel Located At
587 15th Street; And
(09-1174-2)

4) A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 78595 C.M.S. To Increase The Amount Of
An Affordable Housing Development Loan To Satellite Housing For The St. Andrew's
Manor Housing Project Located At 3250 San Pablo Avenue By $500,000 For A Total
City Loan Amount Of $1,248,300; And
(09-1174-3)

5) A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 81112 To Increase The Amount Of An
Affordable Housing Development Loan To Resources For Community Development For
The 720 E. 11th Street Project By $279,336 For A Total City Loan Amount Of
$1,669,503 And To Extend For 12 Months The Time Funds Are Reserved For The
Project; And
(09-1174-4)

6) A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 81111 C.M.S. To Extend By Eighteen (18)
Months The Time Funds Are Reserved For An Affordable Housing Development Loan
City of Oakland Page 2 Printed on 3/4/10
In An Amount Not To Exceed $3,499,453 To East Bay Asian Local Development
Corporation And The Related Companies Of California Jointly For The Lion Creek
Crossings Phase IV Rental Project Located At 69th Avenue And Snell Street; And
(09-1174-5)

7) A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 81845 C.M.S. To Extend The Time Funds
Are Reserved For An Affordable Housing Development Loan In An Amount Not To
Exceed $3,850,344 To Bridge Housing Corporation For The St. Joseph's Family Phase II
Project Located At 2647 International Boulevard, Oakland; And
(09-1174-6)

8) A Resolution Appropriating $2,683,966 From Fund Balance In The Low And
Moderate Housing Funds, The 2000 Subordinated Affordable Housing Bond Fund, And
The 2006 Subordinated Affordable Housing Bond Fund For Housing Development
Activities; And
(09-1174-7)

9) A Resolution Authorizing A Rehabilitation Loan In An Amount Not To Exceed
$1,800,000 To East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation For The Drasnin Manor
Project Located At 2530 International Boulevard, And Authorizing Loan Extensions
And/Or Changes In The Terms For Existing Agency Loans For The Project; And
(09-1174-8)

10) A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2009-0030 C.M.S. To Increase The Amount
Of A Preservation And Rehabilitation Loan To East Bay Asian Local Development
Corporation By $1,260,000 For The Effie's House (Ivy Hill) Project Located At 829 East
19th Avenue For A Total Loan Amount Of $2,517,000, And Authorizing Loan
Extensions And/Or Changes In Terms For Existing Agency Loans For The Project; And
(09-1174-9)

11) A Resolution Authorizing A Rehabilitation Loan In An Amount Not To Exceed
$867,000 To Dignity Housing West, Inc. For The James Lee Court Apartments Project
Located At 690 15th Street, And Authorizing Loan Extensions And/Or Changes In The
Terms For Existing Agency Loans For The Project; And
(09-1174-10)

12) A Resolution Authorizing An Affordable Housing Development Loan In An Amount
Not To Exceed $3,850,000 To AMCAL Multi-Housing, Inc. For The MacArthur
Apartments Project Located At 9800 MacArthur Boulevard; And
(09-1174-11)

13) A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2009-0032 C.M.S. To Increase The Amount
Of An Affordable Housing Rehabilition Loan To Resources For Community
Development For The Marin Way Court Affordable Housing Development Located At
2000 International Boulevard By $1,200,000 For A Total Agency Loan Amount Of
$2,400,000, And Authorizing Loan Extensions And/Or Changes In Terms For Existing
Agency Loans For The Project; And
(09-1174-12)

14) A Resolution Authorizing A Preservation And Rehabilitation Loan In An Amount
Not To Exceed $2,397,000 To East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation For The
Oakland Point LP Scattered Sites Affordable Housing Project Located At 915-17 Chester
Street, 1025 Center Street, 1442-46 10th Street, 1430 10th Street, 963 Center Street,
1734 9th Street, And 1501 8th Street, And Authorizing Loan Extensions And/Or
Changes In The Terms For Existing Agency Loans For The Project; And
(09-1174-14)

15) A Resolution Authorizing A Preservation And Rehabilitation Loan In An Amount
Not To Exceed $2,760,000 To Resources For Community Development For The San
Antonio Terrace Apartments Project Located At 1485 East 22nd Street, And Authorizing
Loan Extensions And/Or Changes In The Terms For Existing Agency Loans For The
Project; And
(09-1174-15)

16) A Resolution Authorizing An Affordable Housing Development Loan In An Amount
Not To Exceed $148,000 To Paul Wang Enterprises For The 62nd Street Condominiums
Located At 1029 62nd Street; And
(09-1174-16)

17) A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2008-0027 C.M.S. To Increase The Amount
Of An Affordable Housing Development Loan To Resources For Community
Development For The 720 E. 11th Street Project By $967,664 For A Total Agency Loan
Amount Of $5,827,497, And To Extend For 12 Months The Amount Of Time Funds Are
Reserved For The Project; And
(09-1174-17)

18) A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2009-0020 C.M.S. To Increase The Amount
Of An Affordable Housing Development Loan To BRIDGE Housing Corporation For
The St. Joseph's Family Phase II Project At 2647 International Boulevard By $1,314,000
For A Total Agency Loan Amount of $4,333,656, And To Extend For Six Months The
Amount Of Time Funds Are Reserved For The Project; And
(09-1174-18)

19) A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2008-0018 C.M.S. To Extend By Eighteen
(18) Months The Time Funds Are Reserved For An Affordable Housing Development
Loan In An Amount Not To Exceed $1,652,000 To Alameda County Social Service
Agency, Fred Finch Youth Center, And Affordable Housing Associates Jointly For The
Emancipation Village Project Located At 3800 Coolidge Avenue, Oakland; And
(09-1174-19)

20) A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2008-0023 C.M.S. To Extend By Eighteen
(18) Months The Time Funds Are Reserved For An Affordable Housing Development
Loan In An Amount Not To Exceed $2,980,547 To East Bay Local Development
Corporation And The Related Companies Of California Jointly For The Lion Creek
Crossings Phase IV Rental Project Located At 69th Avenue And Snell Street; And
(09-1174-20)

21) A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2007-0021 C.M.S. And No. 2009-0026
C.M.S. To Extend By Twelve (12) Months The Time Funds Are Reserved For An
Affordable Housing Development Loan In An Amount Not To Exceed $5,133,000 To
Oakland Housing Initiatives And Christian Church Homes Of Northern California
Jointly For The Harrison Street Senior Housing Project Located At 1633 Harrison Street
And 321 17th Street, Oakland; And
(09-1174-21)

22) A Resolution Amending Resolution Nos. 2007-0025 C.M.S. And 2008-0022 To
Extend By One Year The Time Funds Are Reserved For An Affordable Housing
Development Loan In An Amount Not To Exceed $6,032,000 To Christian Church
Homes Of Northern California For The Hill-Elmhurst Senior Housing Project Located
At 9415-9437 International Boulevard; And
(09-1174-22)

23) A Resolution Authorizing A Modification Of The $386,550 Affordable Housing
Site Acquisition Loan To Habitat For Humanity East Bay For 10211 Byron Avenue To
Extend The Term, Reduce The Interest Rate, And Forgive The Accrued Interest; And
(09-1174-23)

24) A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2008-0016 C.M.S. To Approve The
Assignment Of An Existing Loan In The Amount of $1,753,000 By New Altenheim
Partners, LP To Eden Housing Or Its Affiliate For The Altenheim Phase II Senior
Housing Development Located at 1720 MacArthur Boulevard; And
(09-1174-24)

25) A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2009-0033 C.M.S. To Allow An Existing
Commitment Of Funds To Affordable Housing Associates For The Oaks Hotel Project In
The Amount Of $1,100,000 To Be Used For The Expanded Jefferson Oaks Apartments
Project Located At 1424 Jefferson Street And To Allow An Extension Of Time For The
Commitment Of Funds
(09-1174-25)

5 Subject: California Hotel - Rehabilitation & Conversion
From: Community And Economic Development Agency
Recommendation: Recommendation: Adopt The Following Pieces Of Legislation:

1) An Agency Resolution Amending Agency Resolution No. 2008-0005 C.M.S. To
Change The Recipient Of A $300,000 Grant For The Rehabilitation And
Conversion Of The California Hotel To Permanent Supportive Housing From Cahon
Associates To The East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation
(EBALDC); And
(09-1175)

2) An Agency Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2008-0055 C.M.S. To Reallocate
Up To $325,000 From Unused Funds From A Tenant Assistance Program For Residents
At Oakland Community Housing, I
(09-1175-1)
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