May 25, 2006

Contact:
Sheila Bernard (310) 871-6368
Jan Book (310) 392-1426
Doug Eisenstark (310) 403-7018

LINCOLN PLACE SYMBOL OF LOSS OF RENTAL UNITS IN LOS ANGELES

WHAT: Protest on Lincoln Blvd.

WHERE: Lincoln Blvd. at California Ave., Venice, CA

WHEN: May 28, 4 to 6 p.m.

WHY: To protest the loss of affordable housing in Venice and Los Angeles for low- and middle-class renters

Current Lincoln Place tenants and evicted tenants from the embattled Lincoln Place Apartments in Venice will hold a vigil and demonstration during Memorial Day weekend. Together with supporters from the Venice community, they will be protesting the ongoing crisis at the 696-unit complex. Lincoln Place was built shortly after World War II in 1950 as a response to the housing crisis brought about by returning veterans.

Since December 6, 2005, more than 81 households have been evicted and/or locked out of their apartments after the Denver-based apartment rental giant AIMCO filed Ellis Act eviction notices on the tenants claiming they are going out of the rental business.

The 50 remaining households of elderly and disabled tenants may be served with Unlawful Detainer notices as early as June 1. AIMCO has refused further mediation with the Community, City and current tenants after historic designation was restored to Lincoln Place Apartments on May 5.

Over the last two decades, the Lincoln Place tenants and the Venice community have fought real estate speculators' intent to demolition Lincoln Place.  For the past year, with the help of L.A. 11th District Councilman Bill Rosendahl, tenants have held weekly meetings, organized rallies, created a "tent city" and attended City Council meetings in an effort to protect their homes.

Tenants in Valley Village, Studio City, West Hollywood, Silverlake and Koreatown are watching the Lincoln Place situation closely, as they also face the same threat of evictions under the Ellis Act.  Los Angeles is currently experiencing an epidemic of evictions, destroying communities of both low-income and middle-class citizens while apartment owners scramble to cash in on the real estate boom of the past five years.

Mayor Villaraigosa's stated goal of having more affordable housing along transit corridors has been for Lincoln Place a reality for 50 years. Designed by African-American architect Ralph Vaughn in his trademark Hollywood-stylized version of modern architecture and rooted in the English Garden City Movement, Lincoln Place Apartments has received worldwide recognition for quality housing at reasonable rents.

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