Lathrop Homes Residents' New Vision for CHA Gains Momentum

100% AFFORDABLE! was the call July 25 as Lathrop Homes residents and supporters joined with elected officials to rally for their unique Vision for their neighborhood’s transformation. The residents’ vision consists of 1/3 public housing, 1/3 affordable rental and 1/3 affordable homeownership.

“I’m committing to no market rate, 100% affordability,” said Alderman Manny Flores (1), as he strongly endorsed the residents’ vision statement. “This is a new model that CHA should adopt… There is a need for homeownership opportunities for working families, for teachers, for firemen.”

State Senator Iris Martinez (20) also spoke for affordable housing.

The CHA’s current plan calls for one-third market rate, but residents and LSNA argue that this does not meet the needs of the Lathrop area. “It doesn’t make sense to put market rate units at Lathrop Homes,” says resident leader Ruby Mann. “Developers are building luxury condos all around Lathrop.” The median home price in the adjacent Hamlin Park neighborhood was a staggering $426,000 in 2004, far above the citywide average.

Lathrop Homes is a 925-unit low-rise CHA development. For the past seven years, the CHA’s annual “Plan for Transformation” reports have listed the Lathrop Homes as “TBD” (to be determined). To date, the City’s “Plan for Transformation” has demolished 18,997 public housing units, but only constructed 1,937 units.

“The city has experienced a significant loss of affordable rental housing,” wrote Congressman Luis Gutierrez in a letter read at the rally. “Keeping Lathrop affordable is about finding ways to work together.”

Lathrop Homes—one of the oldest as well as most racially diverse public housing developments—has long been an important part of its community. Local legislator State Representative Richard Bradley once lived in Lathrop.

“What our Leadership Team is after is an ethnically and economically integrated community that supports working people and seniors while helping unemployed residents access education and job training,” said Rev. Edie Lenz, pastor of Church of the Good News. Staffed by LSNA, the Lathrop Leadership Team includes residents, agencies and Lathrop Local Advisory Committee President Terry Rousseau. For more information and a detailed version of the Lathrop Leadership Team’s vision, see our website www.lsna.net.