Mobile Homes for the Poor to Be Located in Projects

Amid concerns over the poor crowding the poor, the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday gave tentative approval for plans to place newly purchased mobile homes on the grounds of nine existing housing projects.

The trailers--bought by the city from a Utah power company as an emergency response to Los Angeles’ housing crisis--are envisioned as “transitional” housing for low-income families. Out of 102 trailers available, 80 were proposed by housing authorities for the projects. But the council asked for further study on numbers and distribution.

Plans for placing the trailers, which are now in storage, have prompted a flurry of protests from project residents. With few placement choices, the 900-square-foot trailers will likely rest on lawns now used as a playground by children.

Debate in Council

The issue has also touched off debate among council members. Several have voiced concerns that the city’s latest low-income housing gambit will serve to exacerbate the inequities between society’s haves and have-nots.

“I don’t think it’s fair to ask the poor, with all the burdens they already have, to have some more,” said Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores.

However, she joined the majority in the 10-1 council vote. Councilman Hal Bernson cast the lone dissent.

At the behest of Mayor Tom Bradley last June, the city spent $1.5 million to buy and transport to Los Angeles 102 trailer homes owned by a Utah power company. The city planned to place the trailers on housing authority land and on property owned by nonprofit social service agencies.

Nine Projects Chosen

Out of 17 housing projects from which to choose, the housing authority narrowed the number to nine: Ramona Gardens, Estrada Courts and Pico Gardens in the Eastside; Avalon Gardens, Jordan Downs and Pueblo Del Rio in South-Central Los Angeles; Normont Terrace in Harbor City; Mar Vista Gardens in Mar Vista, and San Fernando Gardens in Pacoima. Housing officials said the nine were chosen for reasons that included space availability and geographic balance.

Leila Gonzalez-Correa, executive director of the housing authority, has proposed that 80 trailers be placed at these projects--ranging from 15 at Mar Vista Gardens to four at Avalon Gardens. In asking for further study on distribution, council members said the spread could be made more equitable.