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San Francisco Community Land Trusts Move Center Stage
Affordable homeownership, without loss of affordable housing
A vehicle for homeownership which does not result in loss of affordable housing took a big step toward center stage Aug. 2, as the Rules Committee recommended creation of a Community Land Trust Task Force.
Like an overlooked child, the concept had struggled for attention in San Francisco for at least two decades. It now goes before the Board of Supervisors, expected to grant the city spotlight sought, by approving creation of the 16-person Task Force.
Supporters of the Task Force, authored by Chair Matt Gonzalez, ranged from Tony Hall, creator of the HOPE plan, to veteran tenant activist James Tracy, opponent of HOPE.
Homeownership through most forms of Land Trusts enable buyers to purchase at a price much cheaper than market rates. They buy the home, but not the land under it, making price much cheaper. Ownership of the land remains with the city, or with a democratically organized ownership entity established by the homeowners themselves.
Such owners own their homes in every sense as do market rate owners, with one exception. They own it for their lifetime, may pass it on to their children, make improvements and alterations. However, they may not sell it at market rates. Under most plans, they may sell 25% higher than original purchase price, plus inflation, and plus property valuation raised by improvements made.
It is an agreement for full homeownership, made available at very low purchase price, in return for selling at limited profit.
The proposal seems to answer one major objection tenant activists have voiced against HOT or HOPE: ownership through Land Trusts do not create a net loss of permanent affordable housing, as it would be accessible to the next generation of residents needing a roof.
A detailed series of questions regarding Community Land Trusts are answered following this story, provided by the San Francisco Community Land Trust Collaborative. The Bay Guardian\'s Cassi Feldman has written a comprehensive cover story on Land Trusts, click here.
The Gonzalez legislation would establish a 16-person Task Force consisting of:
Like an overlooked child, the concept had struggled for attention in San Francisco for at least two decades. It now goes before the Board of Supervisors, expected to grant the city spotlight sought, by approving creation of the 16-person Task Force.
Supporters of the Task Force, authored by Chair Matt Gonzalez, ranged from Tony Hall, creator of the HOPE plan, to veteran tenant activist James Tracy, opponent of HOPE.
Homeownership through most forms of Land Trusts enable buyers to purchase at a price much cheaper than market rates. They buy the home, but not the land under it, making price much cheaper. Ownership of the land remains with the city, or with a democratically organized ownership entity established by the homeowners themselves.
Such owners own their homes in every sense as do market rate owners, with one exception. They own it for their lifetime, may pass it on to their children, make improvements and alterations. However, they may not sell it at market rates. Under most plans, they may sell 25% higher than original purchase price, plus inflation, and plus property valuation raised by improvements made.
It is an agreement for full homeownership, made available at very low purchase price, in return for selling at limited profit.
The proposal seems to answer one major objection tenant activists have voiced against HOT or HOPE: ownership through Land Trusts do not create a net loss of permanent affordable housing, as it would be accessible to the next generation of residents needing a roof.
A detailed series of questions regarding Community Land Trusts are answered following this story, provided by the San Francisco Community Land Trust Collaborative. The Bay Guardian\'s Cassi Feldman has written a comprehensive cover story on Land Trusts, click here.
The Gonzalez legislation would establish a 16-person Task Force consisting of:
For more information:
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/
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I am head of house mother of 2 and I applied for the Section 8 housing program back in 9/01. The letter I recieved in Feb.of 2002 indicated do not call to find out the status of your waiting list number. I became disabilited on 1/21/02 it howeve moved up in the waiting the telephone on the letter mention do not call us until May of 02. I called come May day until 5/8/02 no one not NO ONE ANSWERED THE TELEPHONE. Until I notified Wash. D.C. from internet they e-mail San Fran. housing auth. dept. someone called me back on 5/15/02. When I then called myself on 5/16/02 the lady was highly very rude. Then I wanted until 5/29,30/02 to try the 554-1200 for the update on the waiting list. Again no one answered the telephone no one. I went on the internet got an answered from a wonderful gentlemen John Shea who e-mail myself and told me where to call and where to complain about the horriable treatment and service I have recieved. I get $103.from State Disability. $400 for child Support. If the gov. gives out a telephone #. 554-1200 someone answer and with recepect. Or re-group before answering any telephone when dealing with the public.. Remeber they are representing that entire dept. With a horriable attitude guess again you will not get anywhere in busy that way.
Thank You
Karen Brown-Concern Single Mother
Help out and response w/some proper information
I am head of house mother of 2 and I applied for the Section 8 housing program back in 9/01. The letter I recieved in Feb.of 2002 indicated do not call to find out the status of your waiting list number. I became disabilited on 1/21/02 it howeve moved up in the waiting the telephone on the letter mention do not call us until May of 02. I called come May day until 5/8/02 no one not NO ONE ANSWERED THE TELEPHONE. Until I notified Wash. D.C. from internet they e-mail San Fran. housing auth. dept. someone called me back on 5/15/02. When I then called myself on 5/16/02 the lady was highly very rude. Then I wanted until 5/29,30/02 to try the 554-1200 for the update on the waiting list. Again no one answered the telephone no one. I went on the internet got an answered from a wonderful gentlemen John Shea who e-mail myself and told me where to call and where to complain about the horriable treatment and service I have recieved. I get $103.from State Disability. $400 for child Support. If the gov. gives out a telephone #. 554-1200 someone answer and with recepect. Or re-group before answering any telephone when dealing with the public.. Remeber they are representing that entire dept. With a horriable attitude guess again you will not get anywhere in busy that way.
Thank You
Karen Brown-Concern Single Mother
Help out and response w/some proper information
I am head of house mother of 2 and I applied for the Section 8 housing program back in 9/01. The letter I recieved in Feb.of 2002 indicated do not call to find out the status of your waiting list number. I became disabilited on 1/21/02 it however it moved me up in the waiting list program. The telephone number on the letter mention do not call us until May of 02. I called come May day until 5/8/02 no one not NO ONE ANSWERED THE TELEPHONE. Until I notified Wash. D.C. from internet they e-mail San Fran. housing auth. dept. someone called me back on 5/15/02. When I then called myself to speak someone in regards to my situation updates on the status on to where we were on the list. on 5/16/02 the lady was highly very rude. That to me is unacceptable behavior when dealing w/ the public. Then I waited until 5/29,30/02 to try find out another update status at the 415-554-1200 for the update on the waiting list. Again no one answered the telephone no one. I went on the internet got an answered from a wonderful gentlemen John Shea who e-mail myself and told me where to call and where to complain about the horriable treatment and service I have recieved. I recieved from the government State Disability the amount of $103.from State Disability. Per week , also the amount of $400 for child Support. If the government provides a telephone for status updates either put it to work and provide provide directions and guideness for the Section 8 program. Do not give false adverisement only because I myself can recieve this program. I am head of house in San Francisco, California if you have an Female or male answer the telephone I would highly recommen use proper manners or find a new job that they cannot ever be allowed on customer service. Please give out a telephone #. 554-1200 someone answer and with recepect. Or re-group before answering any telephone when dealing with the public.. Remeber they are representing that entire dept. With a horriable attitude guess again you will not get anywhere in business that way.
Thank You
Karen Brown-Concern Single Mother
Help out and response w/some proper information