CYPRESS : Council Again Rejects Housing Project Plan

The City Council this week unanimously voted down, for a second time, a low-cost housing project proposed by county government.

The council initially turned down the project on Aug. 22, when it was first proposed. Supporters of low-cost housing tried to persuade the council again Monday night, but no votes were swayed.

The county’s proposal called for converting the bankrupt Tara Village Apartment Complex in the 5200 block of Lincoln Avenue into housing for low- and moderate-income families. County government officials said they would finance the project with a $1-million bond issue underwritten by the federal government. They said there would be no cost either to Cypress or county taxpayers.

Council members said they had reservations about the proposal. Councilwoman Gail Kerry said that Cypress already has exceeded its quota for low-cost housing and has no pressing need for the county-backed project.

“We’ve been doing an excellent job of providing housing,” Kerry said. Council member Joyce Nicholson added, “We’ve already met 110% of our goal, and we’re one of the few cities in the state to be doing so well.”

The county proposal called for having the Foundation for Social Resources Inc. own and operate the 170-unit apartment complex after it was rehabilitated and converted into low-cost housing.

Bill Hirsch, president of the Huntington Beach-based nonprofit foundation, urged the council to approve the project. Hirsch said Cypress would benefit by having a deteriorating property rehabilitated at no city expense.