Camarillo to Weigh Housing Bonds

A proposal to issue $10 million in bonds for low- to moderate-income housing projects is expected to spark some disagreement at the City Council’s meeting Monday.

City Manager Bill Little has recommended the council issue $8 million in bonds to assist KDF Holdings in purchasing and renovating Park Glenn Apartments. Under the agreement, KDF would be responsible for paying back the debt on the bonds.

Little is also recommending issuance of a $2-million bond to help KDF finance construction of 20 units of low-income housing on adjacent property owned by the city.

The 150-unit Park Glenn Apartments, in the city’s old town area, is currently 80% occupied by low-income tenants.

If the city issues the bonds, it will be with the understanding that KDF will keep the housing low income. But this also means the entire Park Glenn complex could convert to low income--a move not all council members agree on.

“I’m a little concerned about a place that big being 100% low income,” Councilwoman Charlotte Craven said.

Although a longtime advocate of low-income housing, Craven said this type of housing works best when in small complexes or only a portion of a larger complex.

“A percentage is good because then no one can point and say, ‘Look at that kid, he comes from low-income housing,’ ” Craven said.

Currently, the largest apartment complex in Camarillo designated solely as low income is Ellis Terrace, which has 28 units.

The council adopted a policy almost 20 years ago that states low-income property will be scattered throughout the city, rather than concentrated in one area, Craven said.

“I have my reservations,” she said, adding that she will ask to review the policy Monday evening.

Little disagrees.

“We try to spread it around town, but we have no set policy on it,” Little said. “We don’t see it as a major change or introducing anything that isn’t already there.”

Little said the city studied the project extensively before recommending the issuance of the bonds.

“It’s not a major shift, but it will give it new blood in terms of new ownership and about $1 million for rehabilitation,” he said.

At least one council member agrees the bond issuance for the Park Glenn Apartments project will not appreciably change the current mix of tenants.

“I might even go further and say that without the renovation, the building will continue to deteriorate and the problems that have been present in that complex will get much worse,” Councilman Bill Liebmann said. The complex is deteriorating, has a high tenant turnover, and has had excessive complaints of noise and other disturbances.

If approved, renovation of Park Glenn and construction of 20 apartment units on Holly Drive will probably not begin until the end of the year.

It has not been decided whether the 20 units will be restricted to seniors or be open to younger families as well.

It will be a difficult decision, “because obviously both groups need housing,” Liebmann said.