Posted on 09/11/2007 12:56:02 PM PDT by SmithL
LOS ANGELES—Siding with subsidized tenants, a federal judge ruled poor renters getting federal help are protected by Los Angeles rent control laws.
U.S. District Judge Audrey B. Collins said in a tentative ruling Monday that the city's rules apply even though federal rules allow landlords to opt out of the so-called Section 8 program if they want to charge more money.
The decision was in response to a Legal Aid Foundation lawsuit filed on behalf of 22 tenants of an Echo Park building whose owners include a University of California, Los Angeles, real estate professor.
But the ruling, expected to be finalized this week, has implications for some 26,000 federally subsidized tenants who live in the city's rent-controlled buildings.
"We're hoping this will serve as a precedent for protecting tenants throughout the city," said Larry Gross, executive director of the Coalition for Economic Survival.
Tenants in the 66-unit Morton Garden apartments, partly owned by UCLA real estate professor Eric Sussman, were sent eviction notices earlier this year. Sussman said he had a right to get out of the Section 8 program and charge more for his units.
Sussman said Monday he expected to appeal Collins' decision.
(Excerpt) Read more at contracostatimes.com ...
Don't be silly!
Once you step aboard the Federal Gravy Train - you can never leave (cue "Hotel California)...
This totalitarian “judge” might as well launch carpet bombing of L.A. It would do less damage to the housing availability than this evil decision.
Exaclty...I represent multifamily companies and we know of more and more of our clients that are refusing to particpate in such programs because of that very problem — they’ll never be able to get out, and it will affect their ability to convert later to condo and/or sell the property.
The problem does not belong to the judge. The problem belongs to the owner who elected to suckle at the public tit.
Sussman will end up selling his complex and the city will take over, then these tenants will get evicted down the road anyway as the city won't have the money in their budget to comply with federal housing laws.
Subsidized federal housing is the epitome of modern liberalism.
If the decision is wrong it’s wrong. This is like blaming a jaywalker for being hit by a drunk driver.
Excellent point.
Liberals would blame the drunk.
Conservatives would blame the jaywalker
Libertarians would blame government.
Socialists would blame auto makers, big oil and the spirits industry.
California's legislature would quickly submit legislation to the governor increasing taxes on motor vehicles, motor fuels, distilled spirits, doctors and morticians.
Time for property owners...the people that actually worked to better themselves in California...to sell and move to other states. Ahnold is happily driving Cally down Socialist Lane.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
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