Dennnis Evanosky
At last Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council in its role as the successor agency to the city’s Community Improvement Commission (CIC) considered a funding request from the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD). The Council’s role here is perfunctory, as the funds for
the project have already been appropriated.

In 1991, the City Council, acting as CIC, entered into an agreement with AUSD. The agreement provided that CIC use money related to the school district housing funds for affordable housing purposes. In 2012, CIC was disbanded, and today’s successor agency took its place.
The City Council continues to act as the successor agency.
In fiscal year 2016-17, the successor agency requested, and the Department of Finance approved expenditures for the housing fund. Two years later, AUSD entered a memorandum of understanding with the Alameda Housing Authority.(AHA). The memorandum stipulated, in part, that AHA would assist AUSD in implementing its responsibilities under the agreement and establishing a process for AHA to make funding requests to AUSD for affordable housing projects.

AUSD has now requested the successor agency approve a funding request to redevelop and remodel Rosefield Village located on the West End bounded by Constitution Way, Webster Street and Buena Vista and Eagle avenues.

Rosefield Village currently consists of 53 housing units the redevelopment project will demolish 40 of these units and replace them with a new 78-unit apartment building with community spaces and on-site property management offices.

In addition, the funding would allow for the renovation of five other Rosefield Village buildings. In all the $77 million redevelopment and renovation project will provide 92 rental units affordable to households earning between 20% and 80% of a factor known as the Area
Median Income (AMI). This amount depends on the number of people in the household. For example, 20% of AMI for a fourperson household is $23,050, while 80% is $102,000.

According to the resolution support for this funding would provide additional affordable housing and support both public and private efforts to increase the supply of housing consistent with the city’s objectives.

The Council met after the Alameda Sun went to press. Should the Council in its role as the successor agency approve the school board’s request, $2.032 million in redevelopment property tax trust funds, plus $820,000 due for prior years, would be transferred to AHA to
fund this project.

It has not been determined when the redevelopment and renovation would begin nor what impact this would have on those currently living at Rosefield Village. The Sun will report on the Council’s vote and any impacts in an upcoming issue.

Reach Dennis Evanosky at devanosky@alamedasun.com.