Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino this week called for an immediate change in leadership at the city’s housing authority. or the second consecutive year, the city has lost out on federal funding ($30 million) for a major redevelopment project at the Jordan Downs housing development in Watts.
The Jordan Downs housing redevelopment project, which is being handled by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, lost out on the same $30 million grant last year due to a botched application. Officials at the housing department reportedly made a similar mistake this year. Buscaino’s 15th district includes Watts.
“I am angry and frustrated on behalf of my often ignored and voiceless constituents,” Buscaino said in a statement released on Wednesday. “I cannot and will not be quiet. I do not want my time in office to lead to further disappointment for the residents and stakeholders of Watts.
“I won’t tolerate any more failure,” Buscaino continued. “I am being vocal about making changes in leadership at HACLA to ensure that a community like Watts is actually given priority to leverage resources its residents so desperately need and deserve.”
Last year, the project missed out being a finalist because of reported errors in the application process. This year the project was disqualified outright, partly because a support letter from Mayor Eric Garcetti was not included in the application package.
Ironically, the disappointment to Watts falls on the 50th anniversary of the Watts Riots, which was partly the result of long-time government neglect.
