January 5 , 2006

Contact:
Amanda Seward (310) 439-2422
Clare Sassoon (310) 403-0941
Laura Silagi (310) 490-2872
Judy Branfman (310) 486-2595

EVICTED LINCOLN PLACE TENANTS FACE DISMANTLING OF TENT CITY

One month after sheriffs evicted residents from historic apartment complex, police threaten to dismantle a symbolic protest against landlord’s tactics and lack of support from City.

Police informed Lincoln Place residents on Wednesday evening that they could no longer hold their round-the-clock protest at the Tent City they set up. One month ago, on December 6, 2005, Lincoln Place tenants established the Tent City after being locked out of their apartments. The Tent City has been a site of protest against Lincoln Place landlord AIMCO’s efforts to raze the historic complex and turn it into an upscale condo project, evicting hundreds of tenants in the process. The Tent City has also served as a statement against the potential destruction of almost 700 units of much-needed affordable housing in a city that is desperate for such housing.

Police have warned that they will dismantle the Tent City if it is still there when they arrive. Lincoln Place tenants and their supporters say they have no plans to take down the symbolic display of empty tents, signs, and art projects, or the fireplace that keeps the Tent City occupants warm during their 24-hour vigils. There is no sleeping at the site since that is not permitted on city property.

Lincoln Place tenants and supporters will go on with their regular routine at the Tent City on Thursday, December 5, which usually begins about 9 a.m. when Rose Murphy brings oatmeal to the people who have stayed at the site overnight.

Where: Lincoln Place Tent City in Venice, CA, at the corner of Frederick St. and California Ave., one block east of Lincoln Blvd., adjoining Lincoln Place Apartments.
(map)

Background:

Lincoln Place tenants established a tent city near Lincoln Place Apartments on Tuesday, December 6, after the owner of the property, AIMCO Venezia, LLC (“AIMCO”) locked out 65 adults and 21 children from their homes in order to extract development concessions in violation of state and city environmental laws. L.A. City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo has refused to issue an injunction against the evictions and help resolve the problem. Next to HUD, AIMCO is the largest apartment owner in the country. Tenants in other AIMCO-owned housing have had battles with the landlord; in 2004 AIMCO paid a large fine to the City of San Francisco over unameliorated toxic mold at an AIMCO-owned complex in that city.

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