Tenant Relocation Funds in Orange

Re “Relocation Funds Help Families Buy Homes in Orange,” March 11:

Thank you for telling us about yet another little-known California entitlement program. After reading the article, I’ve learned that tenants can receive generous payments for vacating their roach-infested apartments if the government is involved in rehabilitating the blighted site. Folks at the Villa Santiago apartments in Orange--136 families--are forced to relocate for the work to proceed. I follow that logic. But here’s what I don’t get. Why does the redevelopment project mean that a whopping $4.5 million gets doled out to the relocating Villa Santiago tenants? Payments averaging $17,000--that’s what I call moving in style.

As your piece pointed out, a California law mandates the payments. But perhaps a subsequent article can tell readers more about this law that says huge handouts are warranted. One of the lucky recipients says he now knows what this country is about. Well, I guess he does. Who needs the lottery!

BLANCHE WIMER

Rancho Palos Verdes