HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/20/2020 Item 2, Smith
Clerk, Intern
From:Scott Smith <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:HASLO - Friday Special Meeting Comment - Essential Services
Dear Council,
It sounds like Friday’s meeting will cover a lot of ground. We are unsure how specific some of the decisions or
direction will be. However, just in case we are letting you know that County CAO Wade Horton and County
Counsel Rita Neal have provided HASLO a written exemption from the Shelter in Place order. We are hoping
that you do not take any action that would conflict with that.
HASLO closed to the public on Monday, and has 90% of the staff home with the ability and expectation to
access our central file server and continue core functions via email, phone and video conference. It is
imperative that we be able to continue to issue rent checks on behalf of 7,000 extremely low income (and now
unemployed) families, seniors and disabled clients. Many clients are also temporarily relocated in hotels or
temporary housing at this time because we are in mid-construction on several jobs, and we need to get those
done so that clients are able to return to their homes and better isolate! Additionally, an interruption of this
affordable housing construction activity would likely lead to a default on $40 million in bank construction
loans due to loss of the time sensitive Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and inability to pay off the
construction period loans.
Deed restricted/affordable housing activity is exempt in a number of local urgency ordinances in
California. Here is a clip from San Francisco City/County’s order.
“c. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence to provide any services or perform
any work necessary to the operations and maintenance of “Essential Infrastructure,” including, but not
limited to, public works construction, construction of housing (in particular affordable housing or
housing for individuals experiencing homelessness), airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil
refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, internet, and
telecommunications systems”
Also, it is our understanding that Los Angeles may have reduced building inspections, but is prioritizing
affordable housing in its “triage” during this difficult time (per LA times article).
Thanks for being such an amazing City Council and staff!!! It is during difficult times like these that I know our
wonderful SLO community will shine!
Scott Smith
Executive Director
HASLO
Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo
487 Leff Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805)594-5323
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Visit our website at www.haslo.org
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