U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Community Planning and Development

CITIZEN'S SUMMARY

Redondo Beach, California, is located along the Pacific Ocean, in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Action Plan

The city will have access to about $1 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for the 1995-96 program year. Funds will be spent on activities such as housing repair assistance for low-income households, repairs and expansions for community centers, and social services.

Citizen Participation

The Consolidated Plan was developed with the input of residents and various agencies that serve low- and moderate-income people. An initial public hearing was held on January 17, 1995, and was advertised in the Easy Reader newspaper. The advertisement included information about the CDBG program, the range of eligible activities, and the estimated amount of Federal assistance that will be available.

On April 6, 1995, the city published a second advertisement in the Easy Reader, summarizing the draft Consolidated Plan and listing plan availability. The plan was available for public review and comment from April 10 to May 10, 1995, at the Main Library, the North Branch Library, and the Department of Recreation and Community Services. The city's second public hearing was on May 2, 1995, to obtain citizen input on the draft Consolidated Plan. This hearing also was advertised in the newspaper.

On March 1, 1995, the CDBG staff held a special meeting with Section 8 tenants and Tenant Commissioners to solicit input on housing and community development needs. The city distributed a Housing and Community Development Needs Survey to members of the community through the Senior and Family Services Division and the Redondo Beach Housing Authority.

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEEDS

Housing Needs

The 1990 census reported that Redondo Beach had 2,077 extremely low-income (0-30 percent of median family income, MFI) and low-income (31-50 percent of MFI) renter households and 1,236 owner households in these same income categories. However, only 1,131 rental units and 501 owner-occupied units in the city were affordable to these households.

Large families need affordable housing that has three or more bedrooms. Although plenty of these units exist for large families, low-income households cannot afford them. About 137 extremely low- and low-income large family households live in overcrowded conditions. However, only 0.5 percent of owners in this income category are overcrowded.

Market Conditions

In 1990 Redondo Beach had 26,717 occupied housing units; 46 percent were owner-occupied and 54 percent were renter-occupied. Between 1960 and 1980, the proportion of owner-occupied units decreased from about 60 percent to less than 40 percent. During that same period, renter-occupied units increased from 5,944 to 15,191. However, the 1990 census indicated that this trend reversed during the 1980s, with the percentage of owner-occupied units increasing and the percentage of renter-occupied units decreasing.

In 1990 the median contract rent was $828 per month. There are few low-rent apartments in Redondo Beach. Most units cost between $600 and $1,000 per month and are affordable to households earning more than $1,800 per month.

In 1990 the median price for an owner-occupied unit was $348,300. This included both new and older single-family homes and condominiums. The price of a new home was considerably higher. Prices for new condominiums ranged from $250,000 to $350,000, while prices for new single-family residences ranged from $400,000 to $800,000. Prices for older single-family homes were in the $250,000 range.

In 1993 the city conducted a survey of about one-quarter of the city's apartments and single-family homes to determine the condition of the housing stock. The survey indicated that about 70 percent of the apartment units needed moderate rehabilitation, while 68 percent of owner-occupied units needed minor to substantial rehabilitation. Less than 0.5 percent of rental units were in substandard condition, and these were all suitable for rehabilitation.

Affordable Housing Needs

Of extremely low- and low-income owner households, 44 percent are cost-burdened, paying more than 30 percent of their gross income for housing expenses, and 25 percent are severely cost-burdened, paying more than 50 percent. Of renter households in this income category, 84 percent are cost-burdened, while 65 percent are severely cost-burdened.

Homeless Needs

The city's 1995 Homeless Survey counted 46 unsheltered and 13 sheltered homeless people. Of the unsheltered population, all were single adults. Of the sheltered population, six were adult females, and seven were children.

There are no emergency shelters for homeless men or for homeless women who are not victims of domestic violence. Shelter space and meals are the most critical needs for these populations. Area social service providers report that additional needs include medical services, job training and placement, housing assistance, counseling, clothing, showers, transportation, and substance abuse treatment.

The 1736 Family Crisis Center operates one transitional center for homeless women with children. The Second Step Shelter serves women who are victims of domestic violence and provides a special program that enables these women to become self-sufficient. Although there are no shelter facilities for intact families in the city, the Samaritan House in nearby Long Beach provides shelter for both homeless families with children and single individuals.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

Although the Redondo Beach Housing Authority does not operate any public housing facilities, it provides Section 8 rental assistance to 559 households earning 0-50 percent of the county's MFI.

There are two federally assisted low-income housing communities in Redondo Beach -- Casa de los Amigos, which has 136 units, and Seaside Villa, which has 47 units. Both serve elderly citizens. Although Casa de los Amigos' Section 236 mortgage loan is eligible for prepayment in 1998, the Episcopal Church, which owns the community, will not exercise its loan option and will keep the units affordable.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

The city has not adopted any regulations that control housing development rates or volumes. Furthermore, the fees, procedures, and requirements related to housing development do not appear to be excessively restrictive. Because Redondo Beach residents have become increasingly concerned about the impact of new housing, land use controls governing residential development recently have been strengthened.

The city must amend the Land Use Plan of the General Plan to increase the number of allowable housing units. The city also must provide more mixed-use or other types of zoning to create new areas for housing development. The city needs to provide incentives for affordable housing development.

Other potential barriers, such as permit fees and required public improvements for new developments, do not adversely affect affordable housing development.

Fair Housing

Redondo Beach plans to fund an area Fair Housing Council, which will provide fair housing counseling and related services. The council will assist an estimated 30 residents annually.

Lead-Based Paint

An estimated 1,949 rental units occupied by low-income households may be contaminated with lead-based paint. Of these, 331 units are occupied by families with children under the age of 7. Another 1,395 owner units occupied by low-income households may be contaminated with lead-based paint. Of these, 237 homes are occupied by families with children under the age of 7.

Other Issues

The city contacted various local and regional agencies to obtain information on populations that need supportive housing. The Westside Center for Independent Living estimates that less than 0.5 percent of the population are physically disabled persons who need supportive housing. The Harbor Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled reports that 3 percent of the South Bay/Harbor region population are developmentally disabled and estimates that 15 percent of them need supportive housing.

The Los Angeles County Department of Health reports that 35 cases of AIDS have been diagnosed in the Redondo Beach area. AIDS Project Los Angeles indicates that a majority of persons with AIDS will need either housing assistance or supportive housing within the first 10 years of their diagnosis. The city estimates that 15 to 30 persons with AIDS may need supportive housing in the near future. Supportive housing would include medical and hospice services, counseling, and personal assistance.

Between 1992 and 1993, the Los Angeles County Drug and Alcohol Programs Administration served 179,049 people. Of these, approximately 8 percent needed housing, while a smaller percentage needed supportive housing. The city estimates that 72 persons with drug or alcohol addictions need supportive housing. Supportive housing would include substance abuse programs, job training, counseling, and medical services.

The Mental Health Association in Los Angeles reports that nearly 18 percent of the national population have some form of mental illness. Approximately 1 percent have a severe mental illness and need supportive housing. The city estimates that 110 persons with severe mental illness need supportive housing.

Community Development Needs

In addition to staff consultation and research, the city held several special meetings to solicit input on housing and community development needs. After reviewing the data, Redondo Beach identified the following critical needs:

Improving senior, neighborhood, and youth centers. The city's senior centers are booked with activities throughout the year, and most cannot accommodate additional attendance or events. The Perry Park Community Center is inadequately designed to meet the needs of its neighborhood. The city also needs additional or improved facilities for youth because the current center cannot adequately meet the demand for youth programs.

Improving parks and recreation facilities. Perry Park, located in one of the city's largest low-income target areas, needs improvements and upgrades.

Adding senior services. Public and social service agencies report that senior service needs include meal programs, in-home assistance, adult day care, and socialization programs.

Providing additional services for persons with disabilities. Area social service agencies report that service needs for people with disabilities include benefits advocacy, counseling, in-home assistance, and independent living skills training.

Expanding youth services. Service needs for youth include counseling, intervention, tutoring, teen parenting classes, and mentoring services for at-risk youth.

Improving commercial buildings. The Artesia/Aviation Commercial Corridor needs to be upgraded because many of the small-business owners in the area cannot afford to repair or renovate their buildings.

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Housing Priorities

The 1990 census reported that lower income households are evenly distributed throughout the city. Therefore, Redondo Beach will allocate its housing resources citywide and will not target neighborhoods or geographic areas. Some of the projects planned for the next 5 years include:

Section 8 vouchers and certificates. The Redondo Beach Housing Authority will serve approximately 94 new households. Of these, 60 households will be extremely low-income, and 34 will be low-income.

Housing improvement programs. The city will offer two programs -- the Handyperson Program, which will provide free exterior home repairs and weatherization services to lower-income city residents, and the Mobility Access/Emergency Repair Program, which will provide special repairs for disabled homeowners and emergency repairs for lower-income homeowners. City staff estimate that the Handyperson Program will assist about 175 households, and the Mobility Access/Emergency Repair Program will assist about 100 households.

Rental rehabilitation. The city will initiate the Rental Rehabilitation Program, which will rehabilitate apartment units occupied by lower-income households. The Redondo Beach Redevelopment Agency estimates that this program will assist approximately 20 households.

Homebuyer assistance. The Redevelopment Agency plans to initiate a first-time homebuyer assistance program, which will help to meet the needs of moderate-income households that cannot afford a home because of high housing costs. The Redevelopment Agency estimates that 15 households will receive assistance through this program.

Homeless assistance. The city will provide the 1736 Family Crisis Center with public service agency funding to help operate its women's, youth, and transitional shelters. The city will fund church programs that provide food, clothing, assessment, outreach, referral, and counseling to the homeless. The city also will provide two homeless persons with rental assistance, using the Section 8 voucher and certificate programs.

Non-housing Community Development Priorities

Although the city will allocate most non-housing community development resources citywide, some resources will be targeted for North Redondo Beach. The city has assigned high priority to the following community development projects:

Veterans Park Senior Center/Restrooms Improvements. This project will construct an addition to the Veterans Park Senior Center. It will involve remodeling and expanding the kitchen and storage areas, upgrading the adjacent restrooms, and providing general renovations.

Perry Park Community Center Improvements. The city will renovate the Community Building in Perry Park. The project will include additions to restrooms, dressing rooms, and storage space.

Perry Park Teen Center Improvements. This activity will add an enclosed patio to the Perry Park Teen Center.

Senior services. The city will fund adult day care, a senior lunch program, Meals on Wheels, and in-home assistance.

Handicapped services. The city will fund independent living skills training, counseling, attendant registry, benefits advocacy, and information and referral services for disabled persons.

Youth services. The city will fund youth services, such as counseling, intervention, tutoring, teen parenting classes, and mentoring services for at-risk youth.

Tenant-landlord counseling. The Redondo Beach Housing Authority will provide a call-in tenant-landlord counseling service for residents and will fund a tenant-landlord counseling service provided by a local Fair Housing Council.

Handicap accessibility improvements to public buildings and facilities. The city will complete accessibility improvements to the city hall/police station lobby, Hayward Center/North Branch Library, Knob Hill Community Center, and Veterans Park.

Improvements to commercial buildings. The city will fund improvements for businesses located along the Artesia/Aviation Commercial Corridor, using the Commercial Rehabilitation Program. The program provides business owners with grants to correct code violations and improve facades.

Anti-poverty Strategy

During the planning period, Redondo Beach will develop and operate programs that reduce the number of households living below the poverty level. The city's Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) program will help lower-income residents access the job market through job training and work placement. JTPA will serve an estimated 250 lower-income and disabled residents. JTPA services include needs assessments, classroom training, employment counseling, on-the-job training, and job placement.

The Redondo Beach Housing Authority recently implemented a Family Self-Sufficiency Program. To help participants become economically independent, the program integrates Section 8 Rental Assistance programs with various services, such as job training, child care, and transportation. The Family Self-Sufficiency Program will serve about 25 lower- income residents.

Housing and Community Development Resources

The city will use $1 million in CDBG funds and $4 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds to provide housing rehabilitation and community development projects as well as rental assistance. In addition, the city will use $4.6 million in Redevelopment Agency Low-Income Housing Set-Aside funds to provide low- and moderate-income residents with housing. The Redevelopment Agency will lease land from the Redondo Beach Unified School District to construct a 150-unit senior housing project that will contain 30 lower-income units.

Redondo Beach will leverage CDBG funds allocated to the Commercial Rehabilitation Program with $23,200 in anticipated private funds. The city will leverage CDBG funds allocated to the Perry Park Community Building Renovation project with $123,000 in State grants and $210,936 in Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District Specific Projects Grant Program funds. Finally, the city will leverage CDBG funds allocated to the Veterans Park Senior Center/Restrooms Project with $244,917 in Proposition A Competitive Grant funds.

Coordination of Strategic Plan

The city's housing authority plans to coordinate its Family Self-Sufficiency Program with the area JTPA office, Connections for Children, and Redondo Beach Transit Division. It also will coordinate other programs with public and private organizations, including the Westside Fair Housing Council, the Apartment Association of Southern California, and the Dispute Resolution Center.

The Redondo Beach Senior and Family Services Division will refer clients to the Housing Improvement Programs and to the housing agency. The division also will coordinate with Connections for Children, a local child-care resource and referral agency that offers information on the availability of child care.

The Housing Improvement Division will coordinate its Handyperson Program with the Redevelopment Agency, which will partially fund the program.

ONE-YEAR ACTION PLAN

Description of Key Projects

Some of the of key projects the city plans to implement during the 1995 program year include:

Providing Section 8 rental assistance to 34 extremely low- and low-income households. Of these, 18 households will be small families; 7 will be large families; and 9 will be elderly.

Offering Handyperson Program services to 35 extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income owner households and Mobility Access/Emergency Repair services to 20 lower-income Redondo Beach homeowners.

Beginning construction on the McCandless Senior Housing Project, which will provide 150 units of housing for seniors.

Providing businesses located along the Artesia/Aviation Commercial Corridor with grants to correct code violations and improve facades. The city will assist seven businesses.

Constructing an addition to the Veterans Park Senior Center and renovating the Community Building in Perry Park.

Providing accessible entrances to city hall and completing accessibility improvements to the public restrooms and lobby of the Police Department.

Lead Agencies

The Redondo Beach Recreation and Community Services Department is responsible for administering housing and social service programs. The Community Development Department is responsible for approval of new housing construction and for land use planning, which affects housing. Redevelopment Agency projects, such as affordable housing development, are managed by redevelopment staff in the City Manager's Office.

Maps

MAP 1 depicts points of interest in the jurisdiction.

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.

MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.

MAP 6 is a map, sectioned by neighborhood, which depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.

MAP 7 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within one of the three neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.

MAP 8 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within another of the three neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.

MAP 9 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded project(s) from a street level vantage point; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).

To comment on Redondo Beach's Consolidated Plan, please contact Paula Matusa, CDBG Coordinator, at 310-372-1171, extension 3417.

Return to California's Consolidated Plans.