LOS ANGELES AIRPORT TO SELL, RELOCATE NOISE-IMPACTED HOMES TO NON-PROFITS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
(Los Angeles, California -March 5, 2002) The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners today approved the sale of noise-impacted residential dwellings to qualified non-profit (Internal Revenue Code 501c3) organizations participating in Los Angeles World Airports’ (LAWA's) Move on Housing Program. The program is designed to address the shortage of affordable housing in Los Angeles. Rather than demolish single- and multi-family residences purchased under LAWA’s Voluntary Residential Acquisition Program, the structures will be relocated and rehabilitated.
The sale and move of the structures is a component of the voluntary residential acquisition and relocation program. Property acquisition within the Manchester Square and Airport/Belford neighborhoods in Westchester, relocation of residents and removal of structures through demolition or moving are part of LAWA's noise mitigation program offered in lieu of soundproofing under Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 150. The properties are impacted by an average noise level of 65 decibels or more.
The goal of the Move on Housing Program is to lower LAWA's cost of demolition by preserving residential housing stock through the sale of the structures for $1 (one dollar) each to qualified non-profit organizations. The non-profits will be responsible for all fees, relocation to an appropriate lot, rehabilitation construction activities and obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals. Once the homes have been moved and rehabilitated, the non-profits will then offer them for sale to program area tenants, first-time homebuyers, low-income families and single parents based upon eligibility requirements.
The Airport Commission has approved the purchase of 285 properties since 1997, when a significant number of residents first approached LAWA and requested that the agency buy their homes instead of soundproofing them. The special characteristics and location of the neighborhoods allowed LAWA to agree that a voluntary acquisition program was an appropriate alternative to sound insulation.
The LAWA Residential Acquisition Division manages the voluntary acquisition of more than 568 noise-impacted properties, the relocation of residents and the demolition or moving of the residential structures. A community office is located at 8616 La Tijera Boulevard, Suite 107, Los Angeles. Further information is available by calling (310) 417-6100.
(NN - 3/5/02)
