THOUSAND OAKS : City OKs Grant for Housing Complex

Overriding questions raised by two of its members, the Thousand Oaks City Council on Tuesday approved on a 3-2 vote a $4,500 housing grant to an apartment complex owner, who in return guaranteed a limit on the number of adults living in each unit.

Councilwoman Elois Zeanah argued that such a deal was inappropriate, although she acknowledged that the complex, Warwick Apartments, has a reputation for being crowded.

Councilwoman Jaime Zukowski joined her in opposing the grant.

The grant--to cover half of the cost of fencing in the balconies on all 50 two-bedroom units--comes from part of the city’s redevelopment funds that by law must be used to enhance or increase the supply of affordable housing. Zeanah suggested that channeling redevelopment money to such high-priced units--they rent for $895 a month--was wrong.

Zeanah and Zukowski also questioned the need to subsidize a cosmetic improvement in a private apartment complex.

“Balcony blight could be solved through enforcing existing public nuisance codes,” Zeanah said. “It’s not right to give an owner money to correct violations while we have other means.”

Complex manager Lee Knight said that he already enforces a limit of two adults per bedroom and that the grant contract would not require him to do anything differently.

But Councilman Frank Schillo called this a significant first step in the city’s fight against crowding.