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Community Resource Fair Provides Essential Services

noemail@hacla.org — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:00:00 GMT

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) participated in a Community Resource Fair on October 3 in South LA. The event was organized by the city's Education, Youth and Families Department. The community gathered at Gompers Middle school to take advantage of the free resources; youth received homework help, tutoring and counseling resource information, adults were provided with information about immigration, domestic violence, employment and housing issues. The participants also took advantage of free health screenings offered by St. John's Well Child and Family Center. The non-profit offered general check-ups for children and adults. Miriam Long, Deputy Mayor of Education, Youth and Families, City of Los Angeles talked to participants and encouraged them to learn about the existing community resources and services. The goal was to engage local residents and increase awareness of programs, trainings, and other upcoming events. In addition to all the county,...

Providing homes for the Homeless

noemail@hacla.org — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:00:00 GMT

The grand opening of the New Carver Apartments on September 16 in downtown Los Angles means 92 formerly homeless individuals now have a place to live.

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles partnered with the Skid Row Housing Trust on the project and will provide rental subsidy to 92 tenants of the New Carver Apartments through the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program. The Skid Row Housing Trust will be providing on-site supportive services to chronically homeless individuals many of whom have mental health and substance abuse issues.

New School Opens in East L.A.

noemail@hacla.org — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Boyle Heights - Los Angeles City Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, LAUSD Board President Monica Garcia, Councilmember Jose Huizar and special guests, including HACLA President and CEO Rudolf C. Montiel took part in a ribbon cutting cermony for the Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez Learning Center (Mendez LC) on September 23. The campus consists of two schools - Engineering & Technology and Math & Science.

"This is an exciting time for the families of East Los Angeles as we celebrate the opening of the first new school in this community in over 80 years," said Mayor Villaraigosa.

The Housing Authority is excited to welcome a new state of the art school that will serve some of its youth residents from the Pico Gardens & Las Casitas and Pueblo del Sol housing developments.

"The new school will allow youth to get education, to get good paying jobs and not leave the community, but stay and make Boyle Heights reach its potential," said HACLA President and CEO, Rudolf C. Montiel.

Mendez LC is LAUSD's first new school project to fully implement the reform model of Small Schools. It is also one of LAUSD's premier iDesign Schools. The iDesign Schools Division works in partnership with LAUSD's Network Partners - one of five established civic and academic institutions with knowledge and resources - to improve student achievement. It is one of 80 new schools completed as part of LAUSD's $20.1 Billion New School Construction and Modernization Program to end involuntary busing and year round calendars.

HACLA Wins National Award for Water Conservation Program

noemail@hacla.org — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles continues to explore new ways and options to help our environment and save natural resources. The agency’s Water Conservation effort was recognized with an Award of Excellence by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). Before a drought was declared in California, the Housing Authority launched a water conservation campaign which included resident education, water saving devices, new lease rules, indoor and outdoor water audits, and reduction of water and power usage. The Housing Authority partnered with Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the Metropolitan Water District in order to implement a comprehensive water conservation campaign. Every facet of water usage was examined from indoor to outdoor water consumption including water discharged into the sewer system. As a result, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles saved a considerable amount of water. As part of the...

HACLA CEO, Mayor Villaraigosa join Summer Night Lights' End of Summer Celebration

noemail@hacla.org — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) hosted the Mayor's innovative gang reduction program at four of its public housing development sites. More than 600 youth at Ramona Gardens, Nickerson Gardens, Imperial Courts and Jordan Downs took part in various activities throughout the nine-week program. Below is the Press Release by the Mayor's Office. All-day event brings together youth from all 16 SUMMER NIGHT LIGHTS’ sites to celebrate the end of summer, with sports tournaments, musical entertainment, and free food. LOS ANGELES - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today joined thousands of youth and families at SUMMER NIGHT LIGHTS’ End of Summer Celebration at Jackie Tatum Harvard Recreation Center. The Mayor was also joined by State Senator Curren Price, Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmember Jose Huizar. Today we celebrated the reclaiming of our parks, and putting them back in the hands of the families they are supposed to serve, Mayor...

L.A. Mayor, Actress Tatyana Ali and World Wrestling Entertainment Participate in Nickerson Gardens Mural Project Dedication

noemail@hacla.org — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Nickerson Gardens public housing development was chosen as one of three host sites in Los Angeles for a mural project by the World Wrestling Entertainment Incorporated (WWE). Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was on hand to help with the mural dedication ceremony. He was joined by more than 100 youth participating in the city’s summer job program. WWE wanted to find a creative way to give back to the community, according to Brenda Anderson, South Los Angeles Area Director with the Mayor’s office. Three murals would be painted in three different locations in the city – Downtown Los Angeles, the Valley and South Los Angeles. All three murals will have three elements that link them together, the Watts Tower, the downtown skyline, and the mountains for the Valley. And each artist, we have three different artists and they all have murals based on their own interpretations with those elements included, said Anderson. Local Watts artist Ronald Jackson was chosen to paint the...

Jordan Downs Redevelopment: Mayor Villaraigosa and Congresswoman Waters join the Jordan Downs community in their 4th meeting

noemail@hacla.org — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Congresswoman Maxine Waters commended Jordan Downs residents and HACLA for their hard work during the fourth community meeting on Saturday, August 22nd. The Recreation Center reached its full capacity, attracting more residents than before, indicating the growing interest and desire in the community to participate in the process. The Mayor and Congresswoman reiterated their support for the redevelopment and noted that the process has to involve the community and requires their active participation. I'm interested in the participation of the residents of Jordan Downs in moving this project forward. noted Congresswoman Waters. After overviews and presentations on the process so far, updates on the project master plan and discussions about the community plan options and Human Capital Plan, the residents asked questions to the Mayor, Congresswoman and HACLA CEO, Rudolf Montiel. We want to do this with the understanding that the key to success in this...

Helping improve Reading Skills among Public Housing Youth

noemail@hacla.org — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Estrada Courts Resident Management Corporation (RMC) held its First Annual Back to School Book Fair at the Estrada Courts Community Center on August 19. The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles contributed 450 books thanks to donations from employees. The employees of the law firm Nixon Peabody also donated about 500 books. Many of us are privileged to have resources and this is a great opportunity to give back to the community. It’s really gratifying to do this for the children. said Raquel Pelayo, with Nixon Peabody. We appreciate the Housing Authority's employees compassion for our youngest residents. Their donations will help children explore an imaginative world through reading and also help stregthen reading skills among our youth, said Rudolf C. Montiel, President and CEO of HACLA. The books were organized by age and category; the children were excited to take Harry Potter, Pokemon, and other popular books home to read. Some kids were already reading their books...

Mayor Visits Youth at Imperial Courts

noemail@hacla.org — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Watts - The City’s anti-gang reduction program, ‘Summer Night Lights’ (SNL) is in full swing. Thursday night, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa spent time with youth participants at Imperial Courts public housing development. The WNBA team, LA Sparks was also part of the night’s activities, volunteering there time and services to give participants a one-on-one lesson. The mayor talked with youth participants playing basketball at the gym. He even asked some of the youth what they wanted to see happen next year. LA Sparks Head Coach, Michael Cooper, put youth through drills to enhance their performance and players Betty Lennox and DeLisha Milton-Jones spent time giving a talk about ‘making the right choices in life’. Summer Night Lights is a nine-week anti-gang reduction program that targets inner cities. This year the Mayor’s office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) extended the hours of 16 park facilities to midnight to provide extra activities, including sports...

HACLA Partners to Help House Emancipated Foster Youth

noemail@hacla.org — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:00:00 GMT

August 13, 2009 North Hills – Housing Authority President & CEO, Rudolf C. Montiel, took part in the grand opening of the Rayen Apartments Thursday morning. The building has 48 units and houses 116 residents, most whom are formerly homeless emancipated foster youth. The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) provided Project Based Section 8 vouchers for all 48 affordable units at Rayen Apartments. Tenants will pay up to 30 percent of their incomes toward rent with the balance of rent paid through this subsidy. Brandee Berry, 23, spent most of her life in foster care. She struggled to pay the $600 rent on her apartment after leaving foster care transitional housing two years ago. Thanks to the rental subsidy, Berry now pays $145 a month for her studio. I’m very thankful, I’ve come from a long life of struggling… without you, I wouldn’t be standing here today, I don’t know where I’d be, I really don’t, said Berry. Berry currently attends Los Angeles Valley College...

NFL player Chris Draft inspires youth at Mar Vista Gardens

noemail@hacla.org — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Thirty youth who were participating in a financial literacy training class at Mar Vista Gardens public housing development got a big surprise Thursday morning; Chris Draft, linebacker for the St. Louis Ram’s stopped by and spent more than an hour with them talking to the students about various topics, including how making the right choices in life will lead to success. Chris Draft, a native of Southern California grew up in Anaheim and said he started playing football at the age of five. Draft attended Stanford University and graduated with a degree in Economics. He told the students that hard work allowed his dreams to come true. You can make it, but it’s not going to just happen, said Draft. Draft talked about his father who is a football coach and his social worker mother, both who instilled in him that in life, one gets back, how much one puts in. You guys came here with a commitment to be better, follow through with it, Draft told the students. He...

U.S. Attorney General Visits Nickerson Gardens

noemail@hacla.org — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:00:00 GMT

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder visited Nickerson Gardens housing development on Thursday, July 16, 2009 to see first-hand how a successful anti-gang program in Watts is helping youth stay away from gang activity during the summer months. He met with the community, the Watts Gang Task Force (WGTF) and toured the facilities and observed various youth activities. While surveying the grounds, he briefly stopped to watch a basketball game, talked to community members and took pictures. The Attorney General met with the Watts Gang Task Force, a community based group established in 2006 to combat gang violence in Watts. The group is made up of residents, gang intervention workers and community based organizations and leaders who have been instrumental in reducing the gang related violence. The A.G. was eager to learn about the organization and its success story. Accompanied by Councilwoman Janice Hahn, L.A. Police Chief Bill Bratton and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the Attorney...

Housing Authority teams up with Nike to build skate parks

noemail@hacla.org — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The Housing Authority is pleased to announce the opening of two new skate parks at two public housing developments in Watts. The project was made possible by the Mayor’s office, the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), Nike and non-profit organization LA84 Foundation. The HACLA and Nike provided funds for the project. The projects were completed and unveiled in conjunction with the start of the summer’s anti-gang reduction program - Summer Night Lights. At Imperial Courts, there is a new skate part next to the newly landscaped baseball field. At Nickerson Gardens, a new skate park as well as a multi-purpose court is part of the array of activities for youth this summer. To learn more about LA84 Foundation's work, click here. http://www.la84foundation.org/

Jordan Downs Residents Choosing Housing Models

noemail@hacla.org — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:30:00 GMT

The Jordan Downs Recreation Center served as the meeting place for the Jordan Downs Redevelopment planning meetings. Residents, Housing Authority staff, stakeholders and the Master Planning Consultants held their third meeting on July 11. After introductions, status updates and a report on the existing conditions of Jordan Downs, the residents broke into groups to discuss housing models they would like to see built. Drawing from the information gathered from their trips about different models, the residents had an active discussion of what kind of building they want to see at the new Jordan Downs. The 7 sample models the Master Planning Consultants provided served as the guiding points and offered a range of options from high-rise, mid-rise apartment buildings to single family homes. The residents were conscious of the space limitations, safety and practicality matters. The models offered different arrangements of parking, open space, entrance, etc. After the discussions, the...

Pico Gardens Residents start the summer with their Summer School Readiness Fair

noemail@hacla.org — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Pico Gardens held its first Annual Summer School Readiness Fair. The fair incorporated health and job elements, fun activities for children, food, music and raffles. Commissioner Maria Del Angel was instrumental in putting the event together. She has helped organize similar events at Ramona Gardens and Estrada Courts. They [Pico Gardens residents] haven’t had a big event like this, and everybody deserves this. You see the kids’ faces when they get their backpacks – and that makes me happy, said Commissioner Del Angel. She modestly underestimates the effort that goes into putting an event like this and arranging over 50 vendors to commit to the event. We need this information and more events like this. said Rafaela Esperza, a resident of Pico Gardens of more than 20 years. There is a lot of helpful information here for me and my teenage son, said Brenda Martinez, who was happy to see an event like this in her community which included health services. This sentiment was echoed by...

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's L.A. Hub Director visits HACLA

noemail@hacla.org — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Kelly Boyer, HUD Multi-family L.A. Hub Office Director, along with her staff visited the agency for a meet-and-greet with L.A. LOMOD staff on the morning of July 13. L.A. LOMOD Incorporated, a subsidiary of HACLA, administers thousands of project-based affordable housing units across ten Southern California counties.

LOMOD’s staff of fourteen along with other Housing Authority management team and employees welcomed Ms. Boyer and her team.

“We are really looking forward to strengthening our partnership with HACLA and working more closely together to make sure that we understand our goals and that we are both working toward the same goal and that is making sure that we have decent, safe and sanitary housing and wonderful communities for our residents,” said Boyer.

Photos: 1. Nancy Wesoff, Director of L.A. LOMOD, introduces HUD Multi-Family L.A. Hub Office Director, Kelly Boyer. 2. LOMOD staff thanks Boyer for visiting. 3 From left to right: Ken Simmons, Chief Operating Officer for HACLA, Nancy Wesoff, Director of LOMOD, talks with Hub Director Kelly Boyer

Water Conservation Rules

noemail@hacla.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Effective June 1st, residents in the city of Los Angeles are required to follow new water use rules; all residents must cut water use by 15% or risk a 44% price hike on their utility bills. Watering lawns with a hose is only allowed from 4 PM to 9 AM for 10 minutes. The new water conservation ordinance is in response to the Metropolitan Water District’s reduced water supply to Los Angeles in the midst of a three year State-wide drought. Please note: Anyone who wastes water will be fined by the DWP. The 1st offense is a warning. The 2nd offense is a $100 fine. Each subsequent offense thereafter is an additional $100 from the previous offense. Fines can go up to $600 per offense. All residents must comply with their lease agreement and the new water ordinance by: Not using a hose to water lawns except for 10 minutes between 4PM to 9 AM Not using sprinklers to water lawns except for 10 minutes on Mondays and/or Thursdays between 4 PM to 9 AM. ...

Mayor Kicks Off Anti-Gang Program at Imperial Courts - Summer Night Lights

noemail@hacla.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Monday kicked off the second year of Summer Night Lights (SNL) – a successful anti-gang program credited for reducing crime as much as by 17% in participating neighborhoods during its first year in 2008. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was joined by LAPD Chief William Bratton, Councilmember Herb Wesson, USC Football Coach Pete Carroll, city officials and community leaders to kick off the second year of the program. One-hundred-sixty youth squad members from different communities came to Imperial Courts to help mark the beginning of SNL 2009. Mayor Villaraigosa thanked the supporters of the program; This summer, we are going to double down on our efforts to invest in our youth. We are happy to be a partner in an effort to steer youth toward positive activity and away from the streets and gang involvement in our public housing developments, said Rudolf C. Montiel, President and CEO of HACLA. This year youth at Jordan Downs, Ramona Gardens, Imperial...

Mar Vista Gardens Prepares Youth to Enter Workforce

noemail@hacla.org — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:00:00 GMT

As part of the Mayor's Day of Service on Saturday, June 27th, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) is helping young adults gain necessary skills to find employment. Raymond Monje, HACLA's Senior Case Manager, and other staff at the Mar Vista Community Center spent the day with individuals from 18-24; helping them write a resume, performing mock job interviews, talking to them about appropriate work attire, teaching them basic math skills as well as customer service skills. The L.A. Youth at Work is a program of the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce which trains and certifies youth who are ready for jobs. After participants complete the two day training workshop, individuals have an opportunity to get jobs with employers who are looking to hire. The program is open to young adults ages 18-24 who live in the city of Los Angeles. Joseph Kidane, who lives nearby the Mar Vista Gardens public housing complex, said he heard about the program through flyers that were...

Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009

noemail@hacla.org — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:00:00 GMT

The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 signed into law on Wednesday, May 20^th, 2009 (Pub. L. 111–22) provides a 90-day notice requirement and additional protections for tenants in foreclosed properties.

Below you will find the major provisions outlined under Title VII, Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009.

- During the term of the lease, the tenant has a right to remain in the unit and cannot be evicted, except for actions that constitute good cause.

- If the lease ends in less than 90 days, the new owner may not evict the tenant without giving the tenant at a minimum 90 days notice.

- At the end of the term of the lease, the new owner may terminate the tenancy if the new owner provides a 90-day notice.

- The new owner may terminate the tenancy if the owner will occupy the unit as a primary residence, and has provided the tenant a notice to vacate at least 90 days before the effective date of such notice. This is the only exception to the rule that the tenant may not be evicted during the term of the lease.

These provisions expire on December 31, 2012.

Click here to read more provisions outlined under Title VII, Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009.