The City of Lynwood is located in the County of Los Angeles, State of California, ten miles south of downtown and 13 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Lynwood's area totals approximately six (6) square miles. Lynwood has prime transportation accessibility, as it is located between the Long Beach (710), Harbor (110) and Century (105) freeways. Lynwood is an older, built out community with virtually no vacant land available for new development.
The City of Lynwood's Consolidated Plan represents a strategic plan for housing and community development. It includes a one year action plan for spending approximately $3 million of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program and program income. The Plan describes 1) the resources available for program implementation; 2) activities to be undertaken; 3) monitoring; 4) homelessness; 5) anti-poverty strategy; and 6) coordination.
Lynwood provides for full involvement of the community in the planning,
development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programs funded under
the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 or other HUD related Acts.
The City has established a Citizen Participation Plan designed to encourage
participation by extremely low and moderate income persons, particularly those
living in slum and blighted areas where HUD funds are proposed for use, which
includes participation by minorities and non-English speaking persons, as well
as persons with disabilities. The City has established a Community Development
Block Grant Advisory Board to assure continued participation and involvement in
program development. Two public hearings were held after publicizing in four
local newspapers. Drafts of the Consolidated Plan were made available to the
public for review and comment, during a 30 day review period prior to the
submittal to HUD. Lynwood's Consolidated Plan was approved by HUD on July 7,
1995.
In 1970, the City of Lynwood's population reached 43,000 and over the next two decades, Lynwood experienced a 65 percent increase in population. The U.S. Census documented the City's population at 61,945 in 1990 and it is steadily increasing. Lynwood's current racial composition according to the Census closely resembles that of most adjacent municipalities where the majority of the population is Hispanic. The data reports a composition of 24 percent African-American, 67 percent Hispanic, 7 percent White, and Asian and other races comprising 2 percent. In 1995, HUD median income for Los Angeles County was $40,200 for a family of four, significantly higher than the City's median income.
The maps show various aspects of the community. The first map shows the
entire community and points of interest, the second one adds an outline of the
low and moderate income areas in the City, number three shows the areas of
combined minority concentration, number four lists unemployment by block group
and displays HUD CDBG funded projects, while the fifth map additionally shows
street level and project numbers as they appear in the City's Consolidated Plan.
The 1990 Census indicates Lynwood had a labor force of 25,207 residents, with 87.5% employed at that time. However as of December of 1994, the State Department of Employment Development reported an unemployment rate of 13.7 percent in the City of Lynwood. This high rate has caused a decrease in Lynwood residents' purchasing income. The Census also notes that 47 percent of Lynwood households are overcrowded, which indicates a need for additional housing. The City's Public Works' Department has identified infrastructure deficiencies and a need for street improvements.
The age structure of Lynwood's population is an important factor in evaluating housing and community development needs. The median age in the City of Lynwood is 24.1 years old, significantly lower than the median age of 29.8 years old county wide. The decrease in median age is attributed to an out-migration of the elderly population and in-migration of a large Hispanic population with larger families and younger children. This trend has major implications for future housing needs in the City of Lynwood. Lynwood has identified the need to increase affordable housing and rental assistance to reduce cost burdens for its low to moderate income residents, in addition to the need to help low income residents maintain and repair their homes. Another existing need is a service link for the homeless that goes beyond Lynwood's current referral service and Homeless Men programs.
Lynwood is an older, built out community with virtually no vacant land available for new development. The 1990 Census identified 14,158 occupied housing units in Lynwood. The average household size was 4.29 persons. However household size is growing due to an influx of young families, which has resulted in the current overcrowding. Because of a low housing vacancy factor, housing growth will be limited to the City's redevelopment agency's involvement in housing development, recycling of lower density residential uses in neighborhoods zoned for higher densities, and limited infill development.
Lower income households are currently unable to afford new single family housing. Households with incomes at or below 50 percent of MFI have the greatest housing burden and overall housing assistance needs among renters (80 percent of 7,237 households) are greater than among owners (58 percent of 7,111 households). In fact, 69 percent of the City's households experienced some kind of housing problems. Low and moderate income residents need rental assistance and affordable housing options, and owners need rehabilitation assistance.
The City currently contracts with the Los Angeles County Housing Authority to provide subsidized multifamily housing assistance to its residents. Single family and multifamily new construction is proposed with the use of HOME funds. In addition, the City currently provides a rehabilitation program to assist low and moderate income residents with home improvements.
Its difficult to determine the size of Lynwood's homeless population due to the transient characteristics of the homeless. The majority of homeless persons are mentally ill, indicating a need for support services. Substances abusers also represent a segment of the homeless population. The 1990 Census estimated 57 homeless persons in Lynwood. The City currently does not have shelters available for homeless individuals and families, however Lynwood networks with neighboring cities and makes referrals of neighboring communities to accommodate its homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless.
The City currently contracts with the Los Angeles County Housing Authority to provide public housing assistance to its low and moderate income residents. A Section 8 rental subsidy is provided to 445 eligible residents, however the waiting list for subsidy requests is greater than the subsidies available, therefore a need exists to provide additional rental subsidies. The City is currently seeking funding to provide construction costs for multifamily rental units and to subsidize a first time home buyer program for low and moderate income residents.
Certain segments of the population may have more difficulties in finding decent and affordable housing due to their special needs. Numerous programs and services are provided by the City and various public and private agencies and institutions for persons with special needs, however additional funds are needed to provide more service. Lynwood's special needs group includes elderly persons, disabled persons, female headed households, persons with drug and/or alcohol addiction, and persons with AIDS and related diseases.
Many factors contribute to the cost, supply and distribution of housing. A review of the factors provides an understanding of the private market forces impacting the sales price and rent distribution of both existing and new housing supply. The median sales price for an existing single family home in Lynwood is $140,000. Lack of affordable housing for low and moderate income persons currently exists. Developable vacant land is limited in Lynwood since it is almost a fully built-out community. Financing costs for the most part are not subject to local influence, however as interest rates continue to remain in the single digits, housing construction and purchasing is becoming more attractive. Lynwood's tax policies, land use controls, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges do not pose significant barriers to affordable housing development, but neighborhood opposition to public and assisted housing are sometimes impediments to affordable housing.
Access to housing in Lynwood is an issue of affordability and supply, rather than segregation or discrimination. The City has a majority minority population (Hispanic and Black), that is fairly evenly distributed throughout the City. Lynwood contracts with the Fair Housing Foundation for services to affirmatively further fair housing through a program of information, education, counseling and investigative services, in addition to providing landlord/tenant services including counseling, mediation, conciliation, and referral services. The City may receive approximately 2 housing discrimination cases per year. There are currently no court orders, consent decrees, or HUD-imposed sanctions that affect the provision of fair housing remedies.
To meet new federal requirements, Lynwood is assessing the existing LBP hazards and incidence of lead poisoning. According to the Los Angeles County Health Department Lead Program records, a total of four children in Lynwood were diagnosed with lead poisoning during 1994.
A strategy is being developed to integrate lead-based paint hazards reduction into existing housing policies and programs. Lead-based paint notification and public awareness has been a part of the City's rehabilitation efforts since 1978.
Community development needs include employment, adult education and
vocational training programs, self-sufficiency programs, affordable child care,
educational and development programs for children, emergency assistance for
at-risk families and individuals, affordable and accessible transportation, and
infrastructure improvements.
The City of Lynwood housing and community development priorities and strategies reflect problems unique to our population. Lynwood's primary objective continues to be the development of a viable urban community by providing decent housing and suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income.
The City of Lynwood decided which categories of low and moderate income households were most in need of housing and community development assistance, and which activities would best meet the need of those identified households. High priorities were assigned to these strategies: increase the supply of affordable housing, maintain the existing stock through rehabilitation, provide support services for the homeless and special needs populations.
The City has established the following priorities:
Lynwood has identified nonhousing community development priorities as follows:
Lynwood has designated economic development as a high priority. The City has access to a Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) program, which supplements the City's training initiatives. Lynwood continues to seek funding sources which may enable the City to assist its low and moderate income residents in the development of basic educational skills, with vocational skill development as a secondary goal, in addition to providing job training.
Lynwood continues to utilize, as part of its antipoverty strategy and job training efforts, the City's beautification program, small public works projects which support residential neighborhood growth and livability. Home improvement, neighborhood clean-up/spruce-up programs, landscaping, street, curb and sidewalk repairs, etc. are also used to train people interested in careers in landscaping and infrastructure repairs. As a means of reducing the number of persons with incomes below the poverty line, the City will continue to coordinate its efforts with those of other public and private organizations providing economic development activities and job training programs.
Lynwood's primary Federal resources include the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds. Local program and services include implementation of redevelopment projects that will enhance the physical and economic quality of the City. City projects such as commercial redevelopment, a medical office corridor, a commercial revitalization program and the development of affordable town homes provide a potential for generating jobs and tax base benefits.
Lynwood's Community Development Department served as the lead agency in
coordination of the consolidated planning and submission process. As part of
the strategic planning process, the City consulted with public and private
agencies that provide social services and other community service providers, as
well as adjacent communities. In addition, consultation was made with the Los
Angeles County Housing Authority, Department of Public Works, Tax Assessor,
Chamber of Commerce, California Trade and commerce Agency, State of California
Economic Development Department, Hub Cities Consortium/JTPA Programs, California
State Universities and Small Business Administrations. Coordination with these
entities will continue as part of Lynwood's strategy planning efforts.
The City of Lynwood's action plan describes:
The Plan proposes use of approximately $3 million in CDBG and HOME funds in addition to program income. The following summarizes the City's 1995/96 CDBG and HOME funded programs/projects and lists the lead agencies and locations.
Public Service Grants includes funding for child care services, youth services, senior services, and crime awareness programs.
The majority of Lynwood's CDBG and HOME funded projects are located in the low and moderate income census tracts of 5400, 5401,01, 5402, 5403, 5405, 5417 and 5418.
The lead agency for coordination of all Consolidated Plan activities is the Lynwood Community Development Department.
Housing goals for the first year include providing rehabilitation assistance to 33 owner households of low income; implementation of a rental rehabilitation program; development of new single family homes and providing rental assistance to approximately 450 households.
MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.
MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.
