Redevelopment’s Falsehoods at Bayview-Hunters Point ExposedRandy Shawbyline‚ Oct. 19‚ 2006New developments in San Francisco and Orange County have further exposed the false promises of Redevelopment Agencies. In San Francisco, the Chronicle reported that the Lennar Corporation would not build any of the around 400 rental housing units it promised as part of its 1600-unit Naval Shipyard development. In Orange County, the Los Angeles Times reported that winners of an affordable housing lottery are being required by Lennar to pay a down payment of nearly 50% of the purchase price---and now cannot afford the below-market properties. Lennar blames state Redevelopment Law, which requires that occupants not spend more than 35% of their incomes on monthly housing payments. So much for claims that low-income families would benefit from the Agency’s “affordable homes.” The ink is barely dry on City Attorney Herrera’s ruling removing the referendum on Bayview Redevelopment from the ballot, and the broken promises have already begun. |