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Council approves $7 million allocation to buy 17 homes near airport as part of hardship buyout program
Summary
The council approved the acquisition of 15 single‑family homes and two duplexes using passenger facility charge funds to buy out residents who requested relocation because of airport-related noise and neighborhood decline; the allocation covers acquisition, closing and relocation costs.
The Los Angeles City Council approved allocation of $7,000,000 to acquire 15 single‑family homes and two duplexes from residents seeking buyouts as part of a hardship program tied to airport noise and neighborhood conditions.
Barbara Martinoff, who identified herself as representing the Residential Acquisition Bureau, told the council the funds will cover property acquisition, closing costs and relocation assistance to owners and tenants. “We are acquiring 15 single family properties and 2 duplexes, and we're asking for an allocation of $7,000,000,” Martinoff said. She said the purchases use passenger facility charge funds.
Councilmembers discussed whether the purchases could lead to future pressure for airport expansion in those areas. One councilmember noted the properties being acquired are not in the direct path of a proposed airport expansion but are in high-noise areas and surrounded by nonresidential uses; some owners asked to be bought out to move to quieter housing before property values were affected by expansion uncertainty.
Councilmember Nate Holden and others pressed staff on mitigation and on whether homes in good condition might be moved and rehabilitated by nonprofit partners. Martinoff said many homes are older and contain asbestos and lead‑based paint, creating mitigation costs; the department is working with the Housing Department to identify nonprofits that could help move or rehabilitate structures where appropriate.
Councilmembers approved the allocation; the clerk recorded the vote as 13 ayes and the item was approved forthwith.
What this means: The council authorized a targeted, hardship‑based acquisition program that uses passenger facility charges to buy affected residences and provide relocation support. The purchases are part of an ongoing set of hardship buyouts the airport has undertaken, and staff said they will continue to evaluate mitigation, nonprofit relocation possibilities and program limits.
