For Immediate Release
December 6, 2005
Contact:  Safiya Jones, 213-473-7011


ROSENDAHL STATEMENT ON LINCOLN PLACE EVICTIONS

Councilman Bill Rosendahl today issued the following statement regarding  Lincoln Place evictions:


"Earlier today, AIMCO, the owners of the Lincoln Place Garden Apartments in Venice, locked out more than 50 families from their homes.

These evictions are a travesty, an injustice, and a great shame. They represent an assault on affordable housing, a slap in the face to renters everywhere, and insult to the community of Venice and its elected representatives.

For months, I have called on AIMCO to halt these evictions. I reiterate and underscore that statement today, and I urge AIMCO to allow tenants to return to their homes:

AIMCO, do the right thing. Unlock those doors. Return to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith with these tenants.

Earlier this fall, my office and the office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa brokered a proposed settlement that would have preserved 242 units at Lincoln Place, and allowed every tenant to remain there for life at below-market rent. Sadly, that deal fell apart. I still believe it is a solid deal, and hope that it can be the basis for a renewed round of negotiations.