October 5, 2005

Contact:

Sheila Bernard
(310) 871-6368
sheila.bernard@comcast.net

Lincoln Place Tenants Demand that the L.A. City Attorney Uphold the Law and Protect 170 Families from Landlord’s Illegal Evictions

Tenants will protest Friday, October 7 at 9:00 am in front of City Hall

VENICE, CA -- In 2002 the Los Angeles City Council reluctantly approved redevelopment plans for Lincoln Place, a garden apartment community on 38 acres in Venice that received historic designation by the state in August of this year. The City Council agreed to allow owner AIMCO (Apartment Investment and Management Company) to redevelop the property so long as certain requirements and conditions were met. The conditions, which were proposed by AIMCO to ensure approval, included the commitment that "no existing tenant would be involuntarily displaced from the site."

In March of this year, with complete disregard for their own commitment and the conditions set forth by the City Council, AIMCO filed a Landlord's Declaration of Intent to Evict for Permanent Removal against all 170 families remaining at Lincoln Place. While AIMCO was evicting tenants under the pretense of permanently removing the property from the rental market, they were at the same time successfully arguing in court to move forward with their city-approved redevelopment plan, which includes 144 rental units and the condition that no current resident will be displaced. This is a clear case of fraud.

“AIMCO sought approval of the project and is telling every court and government agency save the eviction court that it wants to proceed with the project ASAP,” said Laura Burns, a long-time Lincoln Place resident. “But they can't move ahead with the project and continue to evict tenants. Earlier this year the State appellate court told AIMCO exactly that: ‘Owners cannot have it both ways.’”

Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl has called repeatedly for a halt to the Lincoln Place evictions. Now Lincoln Place tenants are demanding that the Los Angeles City Attorney, Rocky Delgadillo, step in and enforce the city’s laws. The City Attorney must seek an injunction to compel compliance from AIMCO before 170 families are illegally forced from their homes.

For more information about Lincoln Place, please visit the Lincoln Place Tenants Association website at http://www.lincolnplace.net.

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© Lincoln Place Tenants Association
Email: info@lincolnplace.net