An affordable housing complex for Hollywood workers grapples with tenant complaints

As a lifelong cinema enthusiast and resident of Hollywood, I have witnessed the glamour and grit of this town for decades. The Hollywood Arts Collective, a beacon of hope for struggling artists, was supposed to be a sanctuary where creativity could flourish without the burden of exorbitant rent. However, recent events have left me disheartened and frustrated.

A large number of residents living in an apartment building designed for artists and entertainment personnel are up in arms due to a disagreement regarding a proposed rent hike, along with other reported problems at the property located in Hollywood.

On Thursday, some inhabitants of the Hollywood Arts Collective publicly alleged that Thomas Safran & Associates, the property management firm, and the Entertainment Community Fund, a partner in the project development, had deceived them into agreeing to leases using misleading information.

According to a statement from the residents, they’ve been informed by Thomas Safran & Associates (TSA) that their rental rates will likely go up annually, following only one year of occupancy.

Despite numerous assurances given to potential renters during the application stage that rent increases would either not occur or only be small (2-3%), this is not the case… Pursuing their dreams in Hollywood has instead transformed into a harrowing reality for many tenants.

The property management firm asserts it hasn’t deceived tenants and claims that the terms related to residence, such as possible rent hikes, were explicitly stated within the leases they agreed upon. Jordan Pynes, head of TSA, expressed his disappointment over the tenant protests in a statement, terming it “deeply disheartening.

Pynes expressed sadness and dismay, mentioning that a few residents of the Hollywood Arts Collective seem dissatisfied with the property.

The TSA firmly stands by its mission of offering top-tier, budget-friendly housing options not just to Hollywood residents, but also across Southern California. It’s important to clarify that the allegation claiming we failed to transparently explain how the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program functions for this specific project is entirely unfounded.

Keith McNutt, as executive director of the Western Region for the Entertainment Community Fund, declared that the charitable organization continues to be committed to aiding the performing arts and entertainment community at The Cicely Tyson Residential Building (a part of The Hollywood Arts Collective), working together with the property manager.

At Low-Income Housing Tax Credit residences, it’s quite frequent to encounter disputes, as reported by Anya Lawler, who serves as a legislative advocate for the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation.

In properties funded by Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), the method used to determine rent prices doesn’t always ensure affordability for tenants in the long run. Unfortunately, many tenants are not aware of this fact.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but feel the sting when I learn that people are residing in reasonably priced properties, only to discover their rent escalating beyond their financial means. It’s a harsh reality, one that demands our attention. The current system seems to be broken and in dire need of reevaluation and reform.

Described as a sanctuary for artists facing difficulties, the compound started accommodating its first residents in April 2023. The 10-story structure located on Schrader Boulevard offers a total of 151 living spaces.

Candidates needed to show their occupation is within a creative domain, and earn no more than 80% of the average income for the region. The rental costs were fixed between 30% and 50% of a tenant’s monthly salary upon moving in.

Following a TSA announcement in August about a planned 7% rise in rent, approximately 40 tenants sent emails expressing their dissatisfaction and voicing concerns over issues such as faulty fire alarms and broken elevators.

“For a struggling artist on minimum wage, this news is financially disastrous and feels like a betrayal of the values the Hollywood Arts Collective claims to uphold.

In response to residents’ worries, Elena Theisner, TSA’s vice president of property management, arranged a gathering within the community. In an email to the tenants, she explained that escalating operational expenses were the main cause behind the hike in rent.

After the meeting, Theisner revealed to The Times on September 25th that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has found common ground with the residents. This was achieved by accepting a reduced rent hike of 4%, arranging an educational session, and committing to regular quarterly meetings with tenants.

Some residents, however, were not satisfied.

On October 30th, the recently established Hollywood Arts Collective Residents Association sent an email detailing their requests to both the Transportation Security Administration and the Entertainment Community Fund. Among these demands were:

39 residents, led by Julia Mata who resides at and manages affairs for the Hollywood Arts Collective Tenants Association, reportedly put their names on a request letter to The Times.

On November 5th, the building management team responded in writing to our association’s requests. They remained firm on the 4% rent hike, clarifying that we are not under rent control or Section 8 housing, a project-based assistance that limits tenant’s rent payments to roughly 30% of their income. As a dedicated movie lover living here, I was left with a sense of understanding but also a determination to address this issue further.

It’s important to note that yearly rent hikes are a common occurrence, not just in this particular building, but also at Low-Income Housing Tax Credit projects,” was the message from management.

The building administrators refused to shoulder extra utility expenses for the residents beyond their current discounts, nor did they offer enhanced safety features. However, they were open to discussing and implementing accommodations for disabled individuals and improvements to communal facilities.

At the heart of the dispute are numerous amenities for artists, including recording studios, art galleries, and a theatre. Residents argue that these facilities were either not delivered at all or were marketed deceptively as benefits.

McNutt announced in a statement that various facilities, including career and financial health workshops, will become accessible to Hollywood Arts Collective residents from the year 2025 onwards.

McNutt mentioned that the fund is collaborating with the city to initiate the construction of the Rita Moreno Arts Building – a building adjacent to the apartment complex which will feature a 71-seat theater for rental purposes such as rehearsals, performances, film screenings, and other activities.

By 2026, the new arts building won’t exclusively cater to our residential tenants, but rather serve as an inclusive space for everyone in the community. While residents may have the privilege of using the theater when it isn’t rented out, they’re not its sole intended audience, as suggested by the document we received.

McNutt stated that the process has turned out to be longer than expected, but it promises to offer an array of delightful facilities for the Hollywood community. Among these are a stunning new theater, two art galleries dedicated to non-profit arts collaborators, and a state-of-the-art training center.

On Tuesday night, I’m looking forward to attending a meeting with our building management team, where we’ll discuss the thoughtful suggestions made by our disabled neighbors. Their requests span from personal unit adjustments to enhancing parking accessibility throughout the complex. The Hollywood Arts Collective Tenants Association has also planned a press conference for Wednesday, which I’m eager to hear more about.

Read More

• FLOKI PREDICTION. FLOKI cryptocurrency
• BNB PREDICTION. BNB cryptocurrency
• CLORE PREDICTION. CLORE cryptocurrency
• MANA PREDICTION. MANA cryptocurrency
• SEAM PREDICTION. SEAM cryptocurrency
• RPL PREDICTION. RPL cryptocurrency
• REDO PREDICTION. REDO cryptocurrency
• HMSTR PREDICTION. HMSTR cryptocurrency
• EUR HUF PREDICTION
• ALI PREDICTION. ALI cryptocurrency

2024-11-19 14:35