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Council votes to join South Bay Housing Trust JPA to administer regional housing funds
Summary
Council voted to join a regional South Bay Housing Trust joint powers authority that would allow the COG region to lend and recycle funds for affordable housing, preserve naturally occurring affordable units, and enable services (master leasing, operating subsidies) cities cannot directly provide through the COG.
The Hermosa Beach City Council approved a Joint Powers Agreement to join the South Bay Housing Trust, a regional vehicle proposed by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments to administer Measure A funds and other regional housing resources. The JPA is designed to make loans, fund preservation purchases of naturally occurring affordable housing, provide master‑leasing or operating subsidies, and otherwise deploy flexible tools that local governments and the COG cannot execute directly.
Presenters Jackie Brack (SBCCOG) and Ronson Chu explained the trust’s structure: one board representative per member city, two appointed housing experts, and a staff/administration model that could initially leverage the COG for operations. Administrative costs for the first year were estimated by consultants at roughly $500,000; Measure A administrative allocations in the region were cited as sufficient to cover start‑up administration in year one with dues waived. Member cities would vote on any future dues and retain the option to withdraw (90‑day notice before a fiscal year if fees are later proposed).
Council discussion focused on how Hermosa Beach would benefit even if it has limited development capacity: trust functions include preservation purchases, master leasing, and tenant assistance that would support hospitality workers, city staff and seniors across the region. Council voted in favor of joining the JPA and appointed a councilmember and alternate as the city’s trust representatives.
Next steps: the COG will convene an initial trust board and finalize administrative arrangements. Hermosa’s appointee will participate in governance once the board meets.
