GLENDALE : City to Buy Site for Low-Income Housing

The Glendale Housing Authority voted Tuesday to spend $270,000 to buy a vacant lot as part of a pilot project that will provide low-income families with affordable housing.

Habitat for Humanity, in partnership with the city, plans to build two duplexes on the property. The money also will pay for various fees associated with the project.

“I think this is a great start,” said Councilman Sheldon S. Baker, who heads the seven-member city housing authority. “All of us are very anxious to move this project along.”

Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1976, builds with volunteer labor affordable houses for low-income families.

The nonprofit organization sells houses to eligible families for a 1% down payment. In turn, the homeowners agree to pay an interest-free mortage payment of about $450 over 20 years and volunteer to spend 500 hours to help build the residence.

Mortgage payments go toward paying for building costs.

City officials first approached Habitat for Humanity’s San Gabriel Valley chapter in 1991 about the possibility of setting up a housing program in Glendale.

Habitat officials found a 12,000-square-foot lot at 531 Allen Ave. for sale by a Japanese firm. An offer on the property, which was accepted, was made in July. Escrow is expected to close on New Year’s Eve, said Jack Conroy, president of San Gabriel Valley’s Habitat chapter.

The agreement calls for Glendale city officials to buy the land for $187,000. The remainder of the $270,000 will go to pay city and school fees charged for site preparation, building permits and licenses and other fees, said Madalyn Blake, director of community development and housing.

Blake said city officials will pay for the project with federal money for low-income housing. If the property is sold within 20 years, the money will be returned to the city, rather than to the homeowners.

Plans call for construction of two duplexes to house four families, Conroy said. Construction will begin as early as April, 1994, and the residences could be ready to occupy by late summer or early fall, he said.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the project or applying as a homeowner should contact the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity at (818) 398-9371.