Manhattan Beach joins South Bay regional housing trust after close debate

Manhattan Beach’s City Council voted 4–1 on Feb. 17 to join a new South Bay Regional Housing Trust joint powers authority, a regional effort that aims to pool Measure A funds and county matching dollars to lend to affordable housing projects.

City staff recommended the city decline to join now, arguing the trust as drafted did not include affordable housing administration and monitoring services the city expects to need for deed-restricted units. But COG representatives and housing consultants urged the council to take a free seat on the trust board now so the city could influence the trust’s early governance and program design.

“We’re already getting this money,” Ronson Chu, housing senior project manager for the South Bay COG, told the council, describing $13 million allocated to the subregion from Measure A and related county funds. “If you’re not at the table, you won’t be able to do that.”

City staff noted Manhattan Beach has more than 300 deed‑restricted affordable units in various project stages and expects new administrative demands to monitor tenant eligibility and compliance. Maas Alcayor (community development director) and staff recommended postponing membership until the trust includes a formal administration and monitoring program the city can rely on.

Proponents said the trust offers lending and preservation tools not available to the current COG structure. “With a housing trust, you can preempt purchases, provide loans and preserve naturally occurring affordable housing,” said a COG presenter.

During public comment, residents and housing advocates split on the issue. Mohsen (resident and former COG counsel) urged the city to “be at the table” and not “be late to the party.” Tim Hegman, a retired Manhattan Beach captain speaking in opposition, said the city should not create a new executive rank while frontline patrol staffing needs remain a priority.

Council member Tarnay moved to join the housing trust JPA. The motion passed 4–1; Mayor Pro Tem Franklin cast the sole no vote and said the council should proceed with caution about long‑term obligations and staffing demands. Staff said the city can opt out later and will continue pressing the trust to add affordable housing administration and monitoring services.

What happens next: Manhattan Beach will take a delegate seat on the trust board and monitor whether the trust adopts the administration services the city requested; staff said the city can reconsider joining later if terms change.

Vote: Motion to join the South Bay Regional Housing Trust JPA—passed 4–1 (Mayor Pro Tem Franklin voted no).