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Status of Low and Moderate Income Housing Funds <br />Sch C Agency Financial and Program Detail <br />SAN LEANDRO <br />Achievements <br />Description <br />Of the 68 rental units, there are one (1) an-site managerZs unit, 65 studios, and 2one-bedroom units. Each unit <br />contains a kitchen and bath. The 67 rental units are 100% affordable: 7 for extremely low income and 60 for very <br />low Income small household renters. The project will remain affordable for at least 55 years via a regulatory <br />agreement with the nonprofit project developer and property manager, Mercy Housing California (MHC). The <br />Agency purchased and continues to own the land and building. The project also has an on-site resident services <br />coordinator who works with tenants to make sure they have access to available local social services. <br />The total project cost was approximately $19.4 million, including $4.5 million for acquisition; $200,000 for <br />relocation; and $7.8 million for construction. One of the unique features of Casa Verde is the Agency~,s annually <br />capped, long-term 30 year operating subsidy commitment (described further below) to MHC beyond the total <br />project cost. In addition to Redevelopment Housing Set-Aside funds, the other project financing revenue sources <br />were 9% federal and State low income housing tax credits and Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing <br />Program funding. <br />History <br />The Agency closed escrow on the property in September 2005 and Casa Verde was rehabilitated and fully <br />occupied by August 2008. In 2005, the Agency conducted a competitive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) <br />process for an experienced project developer and properly manager and selected MHC. Because of the Islander <br />Motets well known and negative reputation as a blight and center for illegal activities, there was nearly <br />unanimous political and public support for the project. <br />There were a few notable problems that had to be addressed in order for the project to be successful. The key <br />problem was relocation of several existing and longer-term motel residents. The Agency took apro-active <br />approach to comply with State residential relocation law by approving (via a public hearing) and implementing a <br />LRelocation Impact Study and Last Resort Housing Plank and working closely with the 18 qualified households <br />who were longer-term renters at the motel to ensure they found permanent replacement housing through <br />appropriate advisory and financial assistance. The Agency hired an experienced relocation consulting firm to <br />ensure that the process was accessible, informative and efficient for eligible residents. The Agency also <br />contacted each of the 18 households upon completion of the project to invite them back to apply, but <br />unfortunately none responded. With relocation, a key lesson learned was the need for constant communications <br />with the motel residents to make certain that they understood their relocation rights and received adequate <br />assistance in finding permanent new housing. Overall, the Agency successfully relocated all 18 eligible <br />households within five months of escrow closing, in compliance with State law and well below projected <br />relocation costs. <br />Another key problem which the Agency addressed and overcame was the anticipated negative cash flow for Casa <br />Verde due to deep targeting to very low and extremely low income renters. In order to ensure the long-term <br />success of the project and commitment to helping renters with the greatest affordable rental housing needs, the <br />Agency agreed to a cumulative operating subsidy not to exceed $5.7 million over 30 years to MHC as needed. The <br />AgencyZs annual operating subsidy contribution is capped annually and MHC must submit annual financial <br />statements for review by the Agency to calculate whether the operating subsidy is necessary, and if so, how <br />much. <br />Lastly, the Agency encountered the problem of managing the property immediately upon closing with some <br />existing motel residents still remaining and when it became vacant after relocation was completed. The Agency <br />entered into an interim property management agreement with MHC to begin managing the building on the day <br />escrow closed until all eligible motel residents were finally relocated. MHC~s experienced property management <br />arm came in immediately and operated the building effectively (including collecting rent from remaining residents <br />and maintaining order) until all units were vacated due to relocation. The Agency staff then assumed property <br />management responsibilities from MHC when the property became vacant as acost-saving measure. The <br />Agency managed the vacant property (including landscape maintenance, pest control, security fencing and <br />alarm) for a year until MHC applied for and received low income housing tax credits and planning/permit <br />Page 6 of 7 12/22/08 <br />