Housing Authority Residents Step up at Community Voter Registration Drive

Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1

 Edhat, web o October 7th, 2018

HOUSING AUTHORITY RESIDENTS STEP UP AT COMMUNITY VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE

OCT 07 2018

Housing Authority Residents Step Up at Community Voter Registration Drive Source: Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) and the League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara welcomed residents to a special voter registration drive on Sept. 25 as part of National Voter Registration Day.

League of Women Voters and HACSB representatives were on hand at the Presidio Springs Apartments Community Room to help residents register to vote in the Nov. 6 general election or update their information if they had moved or changed names. The “Bring the Vote Home” event was a first for HACSB and open to the public. In all, staff and volunteers assisted 16 voters, including seniors, formerly homeless individuals and youth aging out of foster care (voting for the first time).

“It’s vital for everyone in our community to be heard, and we wanted to remove any obstacle that could get in the way of our residents participating in the November 6th election,” said Rob Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1 Fredericks, Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara Executive Director & CEO. “It is an honor to team up with the League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara to be a resource for our residents through this important process.”

A recent Pew Research Center survey concluded that low-income citizens are more likely not to vote for a variety of reasons. Additionally, millions of Americans miss the opportunity to vote because they don’t know how to register, or they miss state registration deadlines.

In California, the voter registration deadline for the Nov. 6 general election is Oct. 22. Voters will elect the governor, secretary of state, attorney general, 20 even-numbered State Senate district members, 80 State Assembly members, 53 members to the United States House of Representatives and one member to the United States Senate, among other elected officials.

Now in its seventh year, National Voter Registration Day has been a game-changing annual nonpartisan campaign to register hundreds of thousands of voters in communities and online.

California residents can register to vote online, by mail or in person. More information is available through the Santa Barbara County Elections Division, by phone at (800) SBC-VOTE or (800) 722-8683 or online at https://countyofsb.org/care/elections/registration.sbc.

https://www.edhat.com/news/housing-authority-residents-step-up-at-community-voter- registration-drive

 KSBY, web o October 2nd, 2018

Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1

Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara helps residents sign up to vote

By KSBY Staff 11:37 am October 2, 2018

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara teamed up with the League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara to assist citizens in registering to vote on Sept. 25.

The “Bring the Vote Home” event held by the HACSB brought out a total of 16 voters, including seniors, formerly homeless people and teenagers coming out of the foster system as first-time voters.

The event was held during National Voter Registration Day, which encourages hundreds of thousands of citizens to sign up to vote as a part of a non-partisan campaign to increase voter turn-out on Election Day.

The deadline to register to vote in California in the Nov. 6 ballot is Oct. 22. Santa Barbara County residents can access the voter registration forms online or by phone through the Santa Barbara County Elections Division. https://ksby.com/news/2018/10/02/housing-authority-of-the-city-of-santa-barbara-helps- residents-sign-up-to-vote

Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1

 Noozhawk, web o October 2nd, 2018

Community Arts Workshop Film Explores Affordable Housing Model for Artists

By Community Arts Workshop | October 2, 2018 | 9:00 a.m.

Community members are invited to join arts and housing advocates at the Community Arts Workshop for a documentary screening and panel on affordable housing for local artists and arts organizations, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at CAW, 631 Garden St., Santa Barbara.

The documentary, Miracle on 42nd Street, chronicles the story of Manhattan Plaza, one of the first subsidized housing spaces for artists and a national model.

The hour-long film features testimonials from such celebrity artists as Samuel L. Jackson, Alicia Keys, Larry David and Giancarlo Esposito. After the screening, a panel will address affordable housing viable practices and respond to audience input.

Panelists will include Ken Aguado,Miracle on 42nd Street executive producer; Lynn M. Holly, SBCAST resident curator;

Detty Peikert, architect, principal of Peikert & RRM Design Group.

They will look at Santa Barbara's housing needs and explore new models and opportunities for designing affordable housing. Mayor Cathy Murillo is slated to open the event.

Housing Authority representatives will be available to answer questions and provide information about available resources.

The evening will serve as the official launch of the Office of Arts and Culture's new Affordable Housing Survey, which will aggregate results to support requests for housing assistance for local cultural practitioners and organizations.

The event is produced as a partnership between the the Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative, the city of Santa Barbara, and the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara with support from Santa Barbara Beautiful. Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1 Pizza and drinks will be served. Admission is free, but a $10 donation is suggested to benefit the film. Space is limited, and advance online registration is encouraged.

To reserve a place, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/affordable-housing-for-artists-film- showing-and-panel-discussion-tickets-50096781823. https://www.noozhawk.com/article/coastal_housing_coalition_film_explores_affordable_housin g_model_for_artist

Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1

HOUSING AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES NEW SECTION 8 INCENTIVES FOR LANDLORDS AND PROPERTY OWNERS

 Edhat, web o October 10th, 2018

OCT 10 2018

Housing Authority Announces New Section 8 Incentives for Landlords and Property Owners Source: Housing Authority of City of Santa Barbara

Local landlords recently got a preview of the suite of all-new and ongoing incentives to participate in the Section 8 affordable housing program through the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB). Attendees of the Sept. 25 informational luncheon also heard from participating landlords and tenants about their experience with the Section 8 voucher program. For the first time in four years, HACSB re-opened applications for Section 8 affordable housing vouchers. HACSB directly pays landlords a housing subsidy on behalf of the participating residents. Local landlords are key to the success of the program and many attended the informational luncheon at Grace Village Apartments on upper State Street. Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1

“We’re here to ask you to open up any extra units in your apartment complexes or homes and to consider our Section 8 voucher holders,” said Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara Executive Director & CEO Rob Fredericks. “We have about 100 voucher holders out on the street now looking for places to live, and there aren’t 100 vacancies. There are low-income seniors on social security, working families and people who are disabled and need supportive services. These are people we need to help.”

On Oct. 1, HACSB re-opened online applications for its Section 8 program, which assists low- income working families, the elderly and the disabled afford decent, safe housing in the private market.

Among the many residents who have found success through the Section 8 program is James Coronado, a local father of six and teacher. Describing himself as part of a working family, Coronado said with some extra pushes from HACSB staff, he recently earned a master’s degree and has gone onto become a homeowner.

“I’m living proof that the program does work,” said Coronado. New incentives available to participating landlords include: Vacancy loss payments for landlords leasing to a HACSB Section 8 tenant in a unit being vacated by another HACSB Section 8 participant.

Signing bonus of $500 for new landlords (has not signed up a new Section 8 participant since January 2015 at a particular property/complex) leasing up a Section 8 participant with a city issued voucher.

Referral bonus - $100 to an individual referring a new landlord who successfully executes a Housing Assistance Payment contract, by leasing a unit to a participant on HACSB’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.

Previous incentives that remain available to landlords and Section 8 residents include Damage Protection reimbursement of up to $2,000 for unpaid unit damages; owner requested inspections initiated by health & safety concerns; online portal providing landlords and managers with access to Housing Assistance Payment records; Security Deposit Loans; Family Service Agency Supportive Services Referrals and more.

Local landlord Richard Moerler has been taking part in HACSB’s Section 8 program since 1972.

“The average Section 8 tenant is really grateful to be in the program," said Moerler. “I’ve always found the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara staff to be helpful and available to help me resolve any problems.”

Due to his positive experience with the program, today 41 of Moerler’s rental units are available to Section 8 tenants.

HACSB is committed to providing low-income households with the tools needed to succeed and Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1 become self-sufficient to the greatest extent possible as well as providing its participating property owners and managers with the necessary information and customer service for a successful Section 8 tenancy. Landlords can contact Jerry Morales at (805) 897-1049 or [email protected] for more information.

Tenant applications for Section 8 will be available at https://hacsbwaitlist.org/landing Oct. 1. https://www.edhat.com/news/housing-authority-announces-new-section-8-incentives-for- landlords-and-property-owners

Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1

 Noozhawk, web

Rob Fredericks: In Defense of Housing and Housing America By Rob Fredericks for the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara | October 11, 2018

I often hear people say, “We can’t build our way out of the housing problem, and if people cannot afford to live here then they should move.”

Rob Fredericks. (Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara photo)

The national housing shortage is no more evident than right here in Santa Barbara, but telling people to move is not the answer. As we celebrate national Housing America Month in October, now is a critical time to emphasize we can strive to provide relief to some with affordable housing options.

A caring, healthy and vibrant community must ensure service workers, first responders, teachers and others can afford to live where they serve. But we’re falling far short, as California suffers from a 1.5 million shortfall of affordable homes while only producing about 14,000 units annually.

During October, the country recognizes local efforts to meet this demand and raise awareness for the need of additional affordable housing. Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1 At the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, we’re proud to report that our efforts have resulted in 1,257 affordable homes, and we are creating another 90 new homes for frail seniors and 17 homes for veterans moving from homelessness. These units have been crucial as Santa Barbara faces a near-zero vacancy factor and median home prices approach record levels.

Low- and middle-income families and individuals are being priced out of the community, but the resources do exist to continue providing help.

Santa Barbara County will receive approximately $9.38 million to address housing and shelter solutions from a set-aside of $500 million as Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) from the state to address immediate homeless housing needs.

There are also two important funding propositions on the November ballot that will help address affordable housing. Proposition 1, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act, would authorize $4 billion statewide for affordable housing. Proposition 2 would authorize an additional $2 billion for homelessness prevention for persons in need of mental health services.

The Santa Barbara City Council and the Planning Commission will be considering an inclusionary housing ordinance in the coming months. Inclusionary housing requires developers to provide a percentage of new units to households at affordable, low or moderate price points.

Many communities in California, such as Santa Clara and San Mateo, have successfully implemented inclusionary housing without dis-incentivizing new housing construction. I posit that Santa Barbara could successfully implement an inclusionary requirement of at least 10 percent, perhaps with additional bonus density incentives.

At his second inaugural address in 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt said, “I see one third of the nation ill housed, ill clad and ill nourished. But it is not a picture of despair that I paint, but one of hope ...”

Unfortunately, today we are still seeing far too many people ill housed, ill fed and ill clothed. If you believe as I do that that there is a need for affordable housing for our community, I urge you to support these measures and speak up in public hearings on these matters.

On Saturday, Oct. 13, in honor of Housing America Month, the Housing Authority along with community partners will be celebrating Housing Santa Barbara Day! at De la Guerra Plaza downtown. We welcome everyone to come learn more about affordable housing and the resources that are available here in Santa Barbara.

— Rob Fredericks is executive director and CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara. The opinions expressed are his own. https://www.noozhawk.com/article/rob_fredericks_in_defense_of_housing_and_housing_ame rica_20181011 Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1

 Independent, web

o October 11th, 2018

New Arlington Village Rents Skip the ‘Missing Middle’

Studios Start at $1,850 a Month

Thursday, October 11, 2018

BY TYLER HAYDEN (CONTACT)

The 33 apartments at Arlington Village ― the new housing development built on Chapala Street directly behind the Arlington Theatre ― are now for rent at prices that are likely to give Santa Barbara housing advocates serious whiplash. Studios start at $1,850 a month; one-bedroom units, $2,300; and two-bedrooms, $3,300. Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1

For a studio tenant to afford these rates ― or to avoid spending more than 30 percent of their annual income on rent ― he or she would have to earn at least $72,000 a year. One- bedroom tenants would need to make $92,000, and two-bedroom dwellers, $132,000. According to a representative with Arlington Village, which is owned by the Corwin family, who operate the Metropolitan Theatres Corporation, the studios and one-bedrooms have all been leased, and only a handful of the larger units remain available.

Arlington Village is the latest project to come online under the city’s controversial AUD (Average Unit-size Density) program, which is meant to add incentives for the construction of workforce rental housing that targets couples making up to $127,000 a year. Critics of the program say its target demographic overlooks Santa Barbara’s “missing middle,” or those who make 80-120 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). For a couple, that translates to anywhere from $64,000 to $76,000 a year. “All [Arlington Village units] are way out of reach for those households in the missing middle,” confirmed Rob Fredericks, executive director of the city’s Housing Authority.

According to new census data, the number of Santa Barbara households reporting incomes of $100,000 a year or less has been steadily decreasing since 2013, while the number of households earning more than $100,000 a year has increased significantly.

Since 2016, City Hall has deliberated over an adjustment to the AUD program that would require 10-15 percent of new rental units to be set at rates affordable to the missing middle. Developers have complained this would eat so much into their profits as to make the projects economically infeasible. A City Hall consultant, however, determined that new rentals under such guidelines would still “pencil out” and developers would still make a healthy return. The City Council voted last February to kick the item down to the Planning Commission for study.

Meanwhile, last month, the Commission voted 4 to 2 to approve a 52-unit, high-end rental housing project slated for Garden and Anapamu streets that will charge equally high rents. Commissioners Mike Jordan and Sheila Lodge argued the AUD development did not address the city’s need for workforce housing because the rents would be too expensive. https://www.independent.com/news/2018/oct/11/new-arlington-village-rents-skip-missing- middle/

Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1

 Independent, newspaper, p. 11 o October 11th, 2018

Sunday, October 14, 2018

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Housing needs discussed at community event By MITCHELL WHITE, NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER October 14, 2018 6:17 AM Tweet In celebration of Housing America Month, Share Story more than a dozen local organizations on Saturday set up shop in De la Guerra Plaza for the first-ever Housing Santa Barbara Day. Translate Website

Organized by the Housing Authority of the Select Language city of Santa Barbara, the goal was to provide information on workforce and Powered by Translate subsidized housing options, supportive services and other home purchasing programs. Related Stories Letters: 'A' is for council against voters Housing America Month has been recognized Oct 22, 2007 for the past 10 years as a way to celebrate Letters: Simpson Act a cure for border problems the success and raise awareness for the Housing Authority Case Manager Leanna Jul 6, 2010 Pearson answers questions about affordable need of more affordable housing. Letters: Finish the job on health reform housing from Tobias Hildebrand, manager Feb 17, 2010 The City Council made a declaration earlier and real estate advisor with Engel and this month, and Rob Fredericks, CEO and Volkers, during Housing Santa Barbara Day Letters: Becoming parents should be choice Feb 5, 2012 executive director for Housing Authority, told on Satuday in De la Guerra Plaza. Letters: Wanted: Better representation the News-Press that people in his agency NIK BLASKOVICH/NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS wanted to get out and do something about May 29, 2014 it. Letters: Health care isn't health insurance Nov 1, 2009 Jerry Morales, a leasing agent with the Letters: Taxpayers should get a refund Housing Authority, recommended the agency Oct 3, 2013 do more to get the community engaged. Letters: Homeless need jobs, not handouts May 13, 2016 By having one central location with various Letters: In quality of life, price does matter services, the hope was to disburse as much May 10, 2006 information as they could to those who need Letters: Time to move on it more. Feb 4, 2015 "There's a housing shortage throughout the United States, and in Santa Barbara it's no more evident," Mr. Fredericks said. "We have a lot of people who are suffering from Local band Area 51 performs during the homelessness, we have a lot of families that housing fair. are doubling and tripling up that need their own home. We're trying to get those funding resources to build what's needed in the community."

One of the groups involved during the inaugural event was Peoples' Self-Help Housing. The group serves roughly 5,000 people annually, focusing on low-income families who earn 30 to 80 percent the area median income throughout the Central

http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=LOCAL&ID=568200358472581134 10/14/18, 649 AM Page 1 of 3 Coast, said John Fowler, president and CEO.

"This is just a great resource for us to be able to reach the group that really have the need," he said.

People's Self-Help Housing saw plenty of foot traffic throughout the day, so much so that the group ran out of applications and handed out cards to those who were interested in learning more. The group was promoting its newest location, Jardin de las Rosas at 510 Salsipuedes St. The 40-unit complex features one to three bedrooms per unit for individuals and families.

As is the case with other units, residents are provided supportive services for marriage or family issues, alcohol-related problems or financial troubles, Mr. Fowler said.

"Just putting a roof over their head isn't enough," he said.

Developing along the Haley Street corridor was a need identified by the city and with the construction of housing the hope is that others will begin to invest in that area, Mr. Fowler said.

The Housing Authority also focuses on low-income housing but has expanded its mission to serve "the missing middle," or those who make 80 to 120 percent of the median income but don't quality for low-income programs, Mr. Fredericks said.

"There's a need for serving people across the economic spectrum," he said.

An idea board was set up in the middle of the venue to provide feedback for the organizers. Some ideas included more workforce housing, an increase in studio apartments and the need to better serve the middle-class. One of the ideas that struck Mr. Fredericks was from a child who drew a picture of a skyscraper for the homeless.

"The young kids recognize the need to provide for the must vulnerable of our community," he said.

Representatives from both the city and county governments were on hand Saturday to assist.

"Not only do you need the public will, you need the political will to make things happen," Mr. Fredericks said. "It shows that we have that."

email: [email protected]

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http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=LOCAL&ID=568200358472581134 10/14/18, 649 AM Page 2 of 3 Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1

 NPRN o October 9th, 2018

COMMUNITY INVITED TO FIRST EVER HOUSING SANTA BARBARA DAY OCT. 13

October 9, 2018 by SurfMedia

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) and its affiliated nonprofit 2nd Story Associates are inviting residents to learn all about affordable living options on the South Coast during the first Housing Santa Barbara Day, Oct. 13, in De La Guerra Plaza.

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Housing Santa Barbara Day will feature live music and entertainment, including local band Area 51, activities, local food vendors and a host of information on workforce and subsidized housing, supportive services and home purchasing programs.

“We’re launching Housing Santa Barbara Day at a time when there are great affordable housing needs in our community,” said Rob Fredericks, CEO/Executive Director for Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara. “This is the perfect chance for residents to learn about current affordable housing options and Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1 resources, but also to engage in advocating for housing opportunities for all – from homeless to middle-income wage earners.”

Housing Santa Barbara Day comes as part of national Housing America Month in October, a time for communities throughout the country to celebrate local housing efforts and raise awareness for the need of additional affordable housing. Locally, the Santa Barbara City Council declared October 2018 as Housing America Month.

Participants include CAUSE, Chance Housing, Habitat for Humanity, Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara, Housing Trust Fund of SB County, Mental Wellness Center, PathPoint, Rental Housing Mediation Program, Santa Barbara Community Housing Corporation, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, Santa Barbara Rental Property Association, Tri-Counties Regional Center, Transition House and Northern Santa Barbara County United Way.

Housing Santa Barbara Day

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday Oct. 13

De La Guerra Plaza, Santa Barbara

Free entrance

https://nprnsb.org/community-invited-to-first-ever-housing-santa-barbara-day-oct-13/

Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1

 KSBY, web o October 8th, 2018

Groundbreaking ceremony held for new veteran housing project in Santa Barbara

Lindsay Zuchelli | October 8, 2018

The Housing Authority of Santa Barbara held a groundbreaking ceremony Monday for a new housing option for low-income veterans in the area.

The Johnson Court apartments will be located in the 800 block of East Carillo Street, near Santa Barbara High School.

The Housing Authority of Santa Barbara breaks ground on the Johnson Court apartment project (Photo Courtesy: Surfmedia)

Date: 11-7-18 Item: IV.1 There will be 16 studio units for veterans, as well as a one-bedroom unit for a property manager, a common area, and office space.

The Housing Authority bought the property in October of 2013. The family who used to own the land had a father in the military, and they had asked that the site is used to help veterans.

The Housing Authority says the studio units will be subsidized for with Project- Based Vouchers. This is to ensure tenants aren’t paying more than 30 percent of their income, in order for the project to be considered affordable housing.

Renderings show the plans for the Johnson Court apartment project (Photo Courtesy: Surfmedia)

According to Santa Barbara County’s homeless Vulnerability Index database, there are 210 homeless veterans in the area. The housing is designed for veterans with special needs, disabilities, or who are seniors.

Construction is expected to be finished within a year.

The Housing Authority also recently broke ground on The Gardens on Hope, which is a 90-unit development for low-income seniors. Construction is expected to be completed next year. https://ksby.com/news/2018/10/08/groundbreaking-ceremony-held-for-new- veteran-housing-project-in-santa-barbara