Only 11-17% of Southern Californians can afford a median
priced home, compared to 50% of U.S. households.
|
|
The Hollywood community is home to
large numbers of low income families, senior citizens and special
needs populations. Increasing numbers of large family households
have moved into the Hollywood area, yet the majority of the existing
housing consists of studio and one bedroom units not suitable for
these families. As a result, people are forced to live in overcrowded
conditions.
-
Currently, in Los Angeles, there are 24,737
families on the public housing waiting list and 84,000 Section
8 registrations.
-
In 2004, the California Budget Project released
studies entitled Locked Out, California's Affordable Housing
Crisis that indicated California's housing problems have
reached emergency status and are increasing. The affordability
requirements on about half of Los Angeles City's 52,379 affordable
units will expire on or before December 31, 2009.
-
In 2002, 55% of low-income renters paid more
than half of their income for rent to live in inadequate, substandard
housing.
-
According to RealFacts, in 2004, the average
price for a two-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles and Orange
Counties is $1,336, surpassing San Francisco's average rent
of $1,310. Subsequently, a worker earning minimum wage would
have to work 142 hours per week in order to afford a two bedroom
apartment in Los Angeles.
-
Los Angeles County had a 5.2 to 1 ratio of new
jobs to new housing units between 1994-2002.
-
The Lewin Group in November of 2004 reported
the affordability of supportive services in permanent housing
for the homeless. Costs per day comparisons: $30.10 in Supportive
Housing; $63.69 in Jail; $84.74 in Prison; $37.50 in a Shelter;
$607 in a Mental Hospital; and $1,474 in a Hospital.
-
LA needs to produce a minimum of 14,000 to
18,000 units of market rate and affordable housing each year
to keep up with the housing needs. Yet, in 2000, only 2,900
units were produced.
-
The report on the Expected Needs of Los
Angeles County's Older Adult Population prepared by Los
Angeles County, projects that between 2010 and 2030 the senior
housing need will increase to 295,682.
-
A study by the Center on Budget and Policy
Priorities in Washington, D.C. found that Los Angeles County
has one of the highest proportions nationally of low income
tenants living in overcrowded conditions, with 15% of all working
families living in crowded conditions.
With increasing numbers of Hollywood families and special needs
persons facing a daily struggle for survival, the Hollywood community
suffers as a whole. Neighborhood households, unable to support
local businesses, deprives the community of its vital economic
base.
HCHC strives to solve these problems by developing attractive,
safe, affordable housing thereby revitalizing the community and
housing those most vulnerable in our society.
|
