Residents urge Temecula to hold contractor accountable for Creekside affordable housing conditions

Residents of the Creekside/warehouse affordable-housing complex appealed to the council for transparency, enforcement and tenant protections tied to city-funded housing.

Laurel Lamont told the council she has repeatedly raised concerns about the property’s physical condition and said tenants are paying significantly more now than when the building was new. "When the city uses public money for housing, it doesn't just inherit a contract, it inherits a responsibility," Lamont said, asking the city to step up oversight and enforcement.

Jenna McGraw, a resident and full-time working mother, described recurring and unresolved maintenance problems she said were documented at move-in, repeated water shutoffs and lease addenda increasing rent beyond caps. "We've had a total of 6 water shutoffs in less than 2 years," McGraw said, and she asked the council to hold California Realty Group accountable and consider rent caps tied to tenants' reported incomes.

Why it matters: Publicly funded or city-approved affordable housing carries oversight responsibilities. Residents said repair delays, confusing communications from management and rent adjustments are making housing unstable for families and undermining the affordable-housing objective.

Council response and next steps: Councilmembers acknowledged the testimony and said staff would be available to connect residents with city resources; the mayor encouraged residents to contact council offices directly. No formal enforcement action or motion was recorded at the meeting.