Jordan Downs rumors dispelled

Congresswoman Maxine Waters, chairwoman of the House Financial  Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, held a  congressional hearing at the Jordan Downs Recreation Center Saturday,  March 15 to question a number of authorities regarding redevelopment  plans for the housing project.
Hundreds of concerned residents  crowded into the Jordan Downs gymnasium to listen as Waters presided  over two panels of housing officials, business owners, community  leaders, and civic representatives about the rumors that have created  confusion and concern among residents who felt Jordan Downs was in  jeopardy.
Rumors swirling among residents living in 720 units of the  housing complex have ranged from Jordan Downs being torn down and  replaced with condominiums, to residents being relocated to Palmdale or  Lancaster after moving out of the public housing complex.
There have  been a lot of rumors about what is being planned for Jordan Downs,  said Waters.  I wanted to get to the bottom of what is being planned  for Jordan Downs and I am holding this hearing to get the truth out in  the open once and for all.
Helmi A. Hisserich, deputy of housing  and economic development policy, pointed out that due to Los Angeles  housing crisis, the mayor is seeking opportunities to encourage the  development of new affordable housing, but she dispelled the rumor that  plans had been implemented for new housing in the Jordan Downs area.
Today,  no money has been committed, and community engagement has not begun and  there is no plan, said Hisserich.  But when the time comes, rest  assured, community involvement will play a key role in this process.
Hisserich  said that Rudy Montiel of the Housing Authority of the City of Los  Angeles presented Mayor Villaraigosa with the concept of redeveloping  1950s-era public housing into mixed-income urban villages, and that  Villaraigosa expressed interest.
However, before any idea can become  a reality, the funding must be identified, the community must be  engaged, and a plan must be developed.  That is why it is important for  all of us to begin at the same place.
Hisserich said that  Villaraigosa has initiated a capital planning effort with all the city  departments that have housing funds in an effort to determine funding  sources.  The purpose of this capital plan is to identify the local,  State, Federal, and private resources available to support the creation  of affordable housing in Los Angeles over the next five years.
She  added that Mayor Villaraigosas principles for redevelopment of public  housing will include connections to schools, parks, public  transportation, and safe and green neighborhoods.
Panelists and  community leaders who reside in Watts expressed their concerns over the  proposed plans, including Reginald A. Pope, pastor of Bethel Missionary  Baptist Church.  Pope stated that it was vitally important that the  community be involved in any planning process.  Redevelopment will  affect families in our congregation who reside in the complex.  If  redevelopment is being planned, who are the persons doing the planning,  what efforts have been made to adequately inform and involve the entire  community, what will happen to the residents of the complex, what will  replace the facility, and what are the timelines for beginning and  completion of the project? he asked.
Henry Broomfield, chair of the  Watts Neighborhood Council, said, The Council is very displeased with  the Housing Authority because they have allowed so many rumors to go  unchecked for so long.  In their consideration of redeveloping housing  projects in South Central Los Angeles they have created fear and  increased distrust in the community.  Theyve caused dismay and made it  difficult for active leaders to address resident concerns.  How can you  do that when people dont know where theyll be living month-to-month?
Keith  Henderson, business manager of the Jordan Downs Resident Management  Corporation, also expressed concern. We should immediately be informed  and have monthly meetings telling us what is going on, who is involved,  who is responsible for what, and what is to come in the future.  Most  importantly, if there are any jobs involved at any level, residents  should be given first opportunity for those jobs.
Montiel, speaking  on behalf of the Los Angeles Housing Authority,  said that although no  monies have yet to be secured, plans are being considered to expand  public housing. Our goal is to expand and improve the supply of  affordable housing by redeveloping Jordan Downs and the surrounding  community, he said, adding that there are plans to triple the number of  housing projects from 700 to 2,100.
He also said that in developing  mixed-use sites, there will be an investment of $500 to $700 million in  Jordan Downs with the project to be completed in approximately five  years, which would include providing existing residents with new units  pending construction.
Waters asked Montiel if he would be willing to  participate in a series of regularly scheduled meetings with members of  the Watts community so that they could stay informed of any new  developments.
I would be happy to, said Montiel.
Surveying the  audience, Waters then announced that no plans for redevelopment would  occur without the participation of Jordan Downs residents. Her comment  was met with thunderous applause.