Save Lincoln Place Apartments! Venice, California

Quick Facts About AIMCO's Evictions
and the Tenants' Struggle to Save Lincoln Place

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BASIC FACTS

AIMCO, the largest owner of apartment buildings in the U.S., acquired full ownership of Lincoln Place Apartments in 2003. Since 2001, it had 50% ownership of the complex. As property values in Los Angeles skyrocketed during this time, AIMCO desired to redevelop the rent-controlled complex to make market-rate profits.

In 2002, AIMCO volunteered to build 144 rental units in exchange for a density bonus (which would let them build units at a higher density than normally allowed) and the right to build 706 new condos. The City of Los Angeles granted AIMCO the redevelopment plan on the condition that "no tenant would be evicted."

In March 2005, AIMCO filed Ellis Act eviction notices on more than 300 tenants claiming AIMCO was going out of the rental business, even though AIMCO's charter limits their business to renting apartments only.

In July 2005, the Court of Appeals ruled that AIMCO violated the conditions of the redevelopment plan when AIMCO demolished five Lincoln Place buildings on Lake Street in 2003; whether or not the Tract Map (redevelopment plan) was recorded, AIMCO must now comply with its conditions, or have public hearings to modify it.

In November 2005, AIMCO unilaterally broke off negotiations for a settlement with the tenants regarding the evictions when the California State Historic Commission found Lincoln Place eligible for the State Historical Register. AIMCO later took steps to sue the Commission for its decision.

In December 2005, AIMCO evicted 80 households, including 59 households locked out by the L.A. sheriff, in violation of their previous promise that no tenant would be evicted.

In April 2006, Lincoln Place tenants, the community, local preservationists, the City of Los Angeles, and AIMCO entered into mediated settlement negotiations, but AIMCO again unilaterally broke off the negotiations on May 5, 2006 when the State Historic Commissioners restored historic designation on Lincoln Place, which AIMCO had challenged.

In violation of the 2005 Court of Appeals decision, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo has refused to stop these evictions until AIMCO applies for a demolition permit, which will happen only after the property is emptied of tenants.

WHY AIMCO WALKED AWAY FROM THE LATEST NEGOTIATIONS AND IS EVICTING THE LAST REMAINING TENANTS

AIMCO only participated in mediated settlement negotiations to get the tenants to prevent the State Historic Commissioners from restoring the historic designation on Lincoln Place, which the tenants had no power to prevent.

AIMCO knew that demolishing the buildings quickly and quietly would be much more difficult if Lincoln Place had historic designation.

AIMCO knew that the entitlements contained in the redevelopment plan gave added value to the property, and that it would be easier to sell the property without the tenants.

AIMCO is now planning to evict the senior and disabled tenants, allow the historic buildings to fall into disrepair, and put pressure on the City to grant AIMCO a new development project to build 1,284 units and get a 45-foot height variance, which exceeds the current building density and height allowed on the property.

AIMCO’S MISREPRESENTATIONS TO THE PUBLIC AND THE MEDIA

AIMCO SAYS: "The tenants refused a deal to stay at Lincoln Place."
TRUTH: It was AIMCO who walked away from the deal when the State Historical Commission restored historic designation on Lincoln Place on May 5, 2006.

AIMCO SAYS: "Tenants were offered three times the legally required money to move voluntarily."
TRUTH: The Ellis Act already entitles all elderly and disabled tenants $8,000 in relocation benefits. AIMCO has been offering the last remaning 40 tenant households $13,500 on condition that they sign away all their legal rights. This "voluntary relocation offer" will not offset the increased rent tenants will be required to pay over a relatively short period of time, putting those on fixed income at risk of becoming homeless. The L.A. Times reports that as of mid-2006, the Los Angeles area had an average monthly rent of $1,559/month ($18,708/year), 7% higher than last year; average rents are even higher in the area around Lincoln Place, a community where some tenants have lived for decades. Moving expenses alone often exceed $1,000, and deposits on new apartments are often two-month's rent -- making startup costs for a new apartment reach several thousand dollars.

A few Lincoln Place tenants were able to justify a higher moving expense and were able to negotiate up to $23,000, but this was rare. On August 18, 2006, tenants over 65 were offered the right to rent an AIMCO apartment for life at rent-control rates, but AIMCO subsequently withdrew that offer without explanation.

AIMCO SAYS: "The 2002 redevelopment plan is the prior owner’s plan and is not necessarily our plan for redevelopment" (implying that AIMCO is therefore not required to adhere to it).
TRUTH: In June 2001, AIMCO acquired 50% of Lincoln Place. Since then, AIMCO participated in securing the redevelopment plan from the City and vigorously defended this plan in the courts. Furthermore, according to public record, the 2002 redevelopment plan is binding on subsequent owners and AIMCO has no other redevelopment plan for Lincoln Place.

AIMCO SAYS: "The 2002 redevelopment plan (Tract Map) has not been recorded and therefore is not in effect."
TRUTH: The Court of Appeals in 2005 held that regardless of whether AIMCO recorded the 2002 Tract Map, AIMCO activated the 2002 redevelopment plan when they demolished five Lincoln Place buildings on Lake Street in 2003 and is now bound by the Tract Map's conditions (which included not evicting any tenants) unless they modify it through a public process.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Call 311 and tell the L.A. Mayor and City Attorney to stop the evictions at Lincoln Place!
Write letters and editorials to local and national media to bring attention to the story, and thank reporters who report on the story
Let AIMCO know why what they are doing is unacceptable, and inform AIMCO shareholders and banks that finance AIMCO's activities that they should discontinue supporting this corporation which pursues illegal and unethical evictions
Attend special events and rallies sponsored by the Lincoln Place Tenants Association, and events by affordable housing supporters everywhere
Keep informed about Lincoln Place's story and the affordable housing crisis nationwide, and spread the word to friends, neighbors, and your community
Donate to the Lincoln Place Tenants Association so that it can continue to defend the tenants in the courtroom
Become involved in tenants' rights activism in your own neighborhood

THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS:

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilman Bill Rosendahl have been strong supporters of Lincoln Place tenants, and we are extremely grateful for their support.
The community of Venice and surrounding neighborhoods have voiced their support for the Lincoln Place tenants and for renters throughout Los Angeles.