Committee approves LAHD update on Pro-Housing Incentive pilot; staff note tight timeline for bond reimbursement

The Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) presented an update on the Pro-Housing Incentive pilot and requested committee approval to accept and expend pilot funds for select properties in the city portfolio.

LAHD staff described a pilot program financed in part with bonds and noted approximately $3.4 million (presentation cited a figure in that range) in pilot funds associated with several properties including references to portfolios managed by Skill Road and Housing Trust. Staff said some properties are already fully financed and that pilot funds would be targeted to properties with short-term gaps in operating or capital needs. LAHD staff warned the timeline for spending and reimbursing bond proceeds is very short; staff said the department will need to submit recommendations and paperwork before June 30 to secure reimbursement and urged developers and building operators to coordinate quickly for pre-inspections and submission of invoices.

LAHD asked the committee to approve the report. The committee voted to approve the LAHD report; during the vote a speaker asked for roll call and the transcript records Councilmember Rommel and Councilmember Bob Blumenfield voting in favor (other councilmembers’ votes were not recorded in the excerpt). LAHD staff said the department will return with project-level studies of capital and operating needs, and asked the committee and developers to bring forward properties for assessment so staff can prepare the necessary documents for reimbursement requests.

The report emphasized operational support for building owners and the need for a portfolio-level survey to identify capital and operational needs in order to target pilot funds effectively. LAHD staff said they will work with the council office and building operators to coordinate paperwork and pre-inspections needed to access the bond reimbursement stream.