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Torrance council votes to join South Bay Regional Housing Trust to access affordable-housing funds
Summary
The Torrance City Council unanimously authorized the mayor to execute a joint powers agreement joining the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, enabling the city to pursue Measure A and other funds for affordable housing development and preservation.
The Torrance City Council voted unanimously March 3 to join the South Bay Regional Housing Trust and authorize the mayor to sign a joint powers agreement that would allow the city to access specialized financing for affordable housing.
Michelle Ramirez, Torrance’s community development director, told the council the trust would enable participating cities to use Measure A allocations — about $7.3 million annually as presented, potentially rising to roughly $14 million with matching funds — for activities the South Bay Cities COG cannot directly undertake, including development loans, predevelopment financing and preservation of existing affordable housing. Ramirez said the trust would not have local land-use authority and initial staffing would be provided by the South Bay Cities COG.
Councilmembers added procedural details before voting. Councilmember Kaji was identified as the city’s voting delegate to the trust board, with Councilmember Khalani named as the alternate for a one-year term. Council members also authorized the mayor to sign nonsubstantial modifications to the JPA subject to city-attorney approval and granted staff authority to send support letters for funding opportunities without returning to the council.
The motion to concur with staff’s recommendation and authorize the mayor to execute the JPA carried unanimously. No members of the public spoke on the item.
