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Board approves purchase of Bridgeport home for pilot deed-restricted housing program over two no votes
Summary
The Board voted 3-2 to authorize purchase of 85 Kirkwood St. for a county pilot 'bridge' housing program that will deed-restrict the home for resale to an income-qualified local buyer; supervisors raised questions about due diligence and estimated remediation costs.
The Mono County Board of Supervisors authorized the purchase of a single-family home at 85 Kirkwood St., Bridgeport, as part of a pilot program to buy, deed-restrict and resell units to income-qualified local buyers. The motion passed 3-2 after extended public and supervisor discussion about cost, inspection and resale mechanics.
County staff said the program aims to preserve local housing stock by buying units, investing in necessary repairs, then selling with a long-term deed restriction (staff discussed a 55-year restriction during the presentation). Housing staff presented an inspection that identified foundation issues and said an agreed seller credit would partially offset repair needs. "We would be working with Public Works to manage any repairs," the staff report said.
Nut graf: Supporters said the pilot is a way to acquire affordable stock that would otherwise be lost to the open market; opponents wanted more detail on repair-cost estimates, insurance and the mechanics of resale to income-qualified buyers before authorizing the purchase. Supervisor Peters asked for additional insurer quotes, clearer pro formas and public disclosure of inspection reports; other supervisors cited the need to act quickly to secure the property.
Vote and outcome: The motion to purchase proceeded after debate and passed 3-2 (Supervisor Dugan and Supervisor Peters voted no). Staff said closing was scheduled for the week following the meeting and that the county will pursue contractor bids and a buyer-vetting process before resale.
Ending: County staff said the $407,269 purchase would come from the county affordable housing fund (remaining balance reported in staff materials) and that additional, currently-unknown remediation costs could apply. The purchase is part of a $500,000 pilot appropriation the board previously approved for bridge purchases.
