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April 04, 2005
Update
Hi friends-
Well, the possibilities of a limited equity housing cooperative as one of the options we are considering looks more and more untenable. As you know, Ms Cohen tentatively set up an appointment with us for next Saturday. About a week and one half ago I emailed her to nail down details and she did not respond. After calling her law office four days ago she has still not responded. We better call of the meeting for this next Sat since we would want adequate time for promoting. In addition to not having the meeting this next Saturday, it seems increasingly unlikely that Ms Cohen would be able to assist us. For whatever reason she has not communicated well and her location in Los Angeles does not mitigate the situation. It would likely be difficult having her direct our efforts from Los Angeles at any rate.
At this point it seems to me that, given the difficulty of finding an experienced developer who would be willing to work with us in establishing some sort of non-profit, we should really take seriously the option of creating limited liability corporations (the traditional model where people would just collectively buy an apartment building, for instance, together without dealing with the complexities of applying for non-profit financing--discussed in the last email). A few members of the congregation have, rightly so, stressed that we really need to get moving on housing quickly. To that end, we will bring in somebody who knows the llc model well and could possibly assist us in its implementation were we to choose doing housing this way. This is not to say that creating non-profit housing would no longer be important if we decided to promote LLC among members of the congregation. For one thing, these apartments would likely be affordable for many of our families otherwise may not
be able to access the market. The option would also allow us to collectively build up some wealth which would make a non-profit more feasible for the future. I've been lazy this last week in not getting in contact with Jamie about his real estate friends who are familiar with the LLC model. I'll try to nail down a date this next week so we can move forward. However we decide to house ourselves I trust it will be in a just way that does not further divide along lines of wealth in the congregation but works to a more equable life together. I know and am thankful that is your desire as well. As always, your wisdom in all this is needed so please write back with comments/ideas/concerns.
Peace,
Aaron
Posted by aaronfriberg at April 4, 2005 10:20 AM
Comments
Aaron and others,
I have gotten acquainted just a bit with Richard Lawrence, an ordained Methodist who works skillfully in affordable housing. I met him by going to the Fair Banking committee of the Caring Council. I think he would be a person to talk with also if you have not already done so.
Lee
Posted by: Lee Van Ham at April 4, 2005 10:22 AM
There are a number of others involved in non-profit housing development in town who can be a resource to us, since it seems Ms Cohen may not work out.
I immediately think of Sue Reynolds or Anne Wilson of Community Housing Works in North County, http://www.communityhousingworks.org/. While they currenty work with one of the largest non-profit developers in the area, their organization started out
I believe, Aaron, that you may have already had some discussion with Matt Jumper, director of San Diego Interfaith Housing Foundation, http://www.sdihf.org, and found his expertise to be outside the model we were thinking at the time. But I still think Matt would be a great resource to explore a wide range of other options.
Also, Tom Scott, director of the San Diego Housing Federation, http://www.housingsandiego.org/, would be another great resource. He's connected to all the developers in town, for profit and non-profit. He's a friend of ours through my work at PLNU.
More locally, Jay Powell director of the City Heights Development Corporation, http://www.cityheightscdc.org/, would be more than willing to lend an ear and advice to our plans.
I'd be hesitant to contact him unless we had firm plans in mind, but Matt Hervey, the director of Housing and Community Development and lead project coordinator for their City Heights projects, http://www.pricecharities.com/CHI_overview.shtml, knows us and would be interested in helping. Both the latter contacts would have access to significant resources if we wanted to go that route.
There are probably others, but any of these folks are only a phone call away. Please peruse their websites and perhaps a few of us might want to arrange a meeting with one or more of these gifted and well-connected persons.
Whatta y'all think?
Jamie
Posted by: Jamie Gates at April 4, 2005 10:23 AM